Case Study of the Napo region in Ecuador

● The Rio Napo region is situated at the western extreme of Amazonia where it has extraordinarily rich tropical moist forests. 
● There has been a lot of oil exploration and deforestation in the past (a research by the British charity Action Aid proved this).
● This was destroying the traditional lifestyles of the locals (Quicha people).
● Action Aid developed the eco-tourism project to stop this from continuing and to provide a sustainable income for the Quicha people.
● The Napo Wildlife Centre is a 100% community-owned lodge which is located inside the Yasuni National Park deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
● The Anangu Quichua community receives half of the profits from the lodge, this allows them to be active in conservation and to work towards preventing logging, market hunting, and oil extraction all of which are actively destroying local forests.
● The members of the community are active participants in the conservation and management of over 52, 000 acres within the Yasuni National Park as well as partners in the lodge
● Ten big luxury cabins, private shaded porches with lake view, ceiling fans, mosquito nets.
● Private bathroom, on-demand hot water showers, 24-hour electricity.
● Large thatch-roof dining hall
● Local fruits, fresh baked bread.
● 50-foot viewing tower, 120 foot canopy tower, parrot clay licks.
● This conservation region is more than 52, 000 acres in size, and an important biosphere reserve of Amazon rain forest.
● Costs roughly $865 for 4-5 days.
● All money goes to the local community so all Quicha people benefit with education and healthcare, etc.
● 85-93% of locals make up workforce, so a lot of employment has been made by eco-tourism scheme.
● The lodge has an environmentally sustainable sewage system and all waste water is treated to the highest standard in order to keep the swamps clean.
● Rubbish is kept to a minimum and they compost what they can, burn and bury what is safe to burn, and pack the remainder to designated landfills.
● Solar panels and diesel generations provide power.