Description
The Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute, founded by Ashaninka leader Benki Piyãko, is a pioneering force in the recovery of degraded land in the Amazon. Guided by the millennia-old connection the Ashaninka people share with the Amazon Rainforest, the Institute employs a holistic, Indigenous-led approach to biome restoration. Damage caused by illegal logging and cattle farming has left extensive scars on the forest, leading to biodiversity loss and the depletion of vital water resources, including the Juruá River, a key tributary of the Amazon.
One of the Institute’s primary goals is to restore over 50 hectares of deforested land. By cultivating and planting a wide variety of native species such as açaí, buriti, cacao, and many other trees traditionally found in the Amazon, the project aims to re-establish the forest’s original biodiversity. The trees are grown from seeds collected from the local ecosystem, ensuring a natural regeneration process that respects the integrity of the region’s primary forest.
The turtle and terrapin conservation project is a key component of Yorenka Tasorentsi’s work. These species, once abundant in the area, saw a sharp decline in the 1970s due to deforestation and over-exploitation. Since the 1980s, the Ashaninka have been actively protecting these populations, and the Institute now serves as the main breeding center for turtles and terrapins for Ashaninka communities across both Brazil and Peru. This conservation effort not only helps restore species populations but also revives an important aspect of the region’s natural heritage.
By engaging Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities from the Upper Juruá Valley, the Institute educates and empowers local populations through a multidisciplinary approach to environmental regeneration. The project combines Ashaninka traditional knowledge with modern agroforestry and aquaculture techniques, providing the tools necessary for sustainable land management. Furthermore, the initiative offers an economic alternative to illegal activities that threaten the region, such as drug trafficking and illegal logging. The participation of agronomists, agroforestry engineers, and biologists—working in collaboration with the Ashaninka—ensures that scientific methodologies complement traditional wisdom, resulting in a comprehensive and effective restoration strategy.
Through this project, the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute not only restores degraded land but also strengthens the social fabric of local communities, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and economic opportunities necessary to build a sustainable future in harmony with the forest.
