Pastaza developed one of the most innovative implementing partnerships under Window A, through an alliance with the seven indigenous nationalities (Achuar, Shuar, Shiwiar, Sapara, Waorani, Kichwa y Andwa) who occupy 93% of the province’s territory. Pastaza is a high-forest, low-deforestation region in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and the development and implementation of its REDD+ implementation plan represents a pilot for other provinces in Ecuador in line with the decentralized implementation of the national REDD+ strategy.
To promote conservation and reduce deforestation, Pastaza will focus on building governance capacity and formalising the governance for the Pastaza Ecological Sustainable Development Area (AEDSPP), which protects water sources and promotes conservation and biodiversity. The province will also develop sustainable agroforestry system, in collaboration with the seven nationalities and in alignment with Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes. Finally, to promote conservation, they will pilot a payment for ecosystem services model to manage at least 1600 ha of forests through conservation incentives.