Institutional Strengthening and Environmental Emergency Response in Rondônia, Brazil

The Karipuna People inhabit an Indigenous territory of approximately 153,000 hectares in the Brazilian state of Rondônia, bordering the municipalities of Porto Velho, Nova Mamoré, and Guajará-Mirim. Their history is marked by resilience - having faced near extinction during their first contact with expeditions in the 1970s that brought diseases for which they had no immunity, the community has fought tirelessly to protect their territory and way of life.

The Karipuna maintain a profound spiritual and cultural connection with their forest. As community leader Adriano Karipuna explains,

"We defend it because the forest is just like a mother to us. And you must protect your mother. A son protects his mother. And a mother protects her son. So we respect Nature just like we respect our mothers."

Their territory includes not only the Karipuna community but also groups living in voluntary isolation, adding another layer of responsibility to their role as forest guardians. The community's traditional way of life is intrinsically linked to the forest's preservation, depending on its resources for food, medicine, and cultural practices. This deep connection is reflected in their sustainable approach to resource use, as Adriano describes: 

"Everything we do in the forest, we do after asking for permission. We must ask for permission before harvesting a native fruit. We know we can only harvest a certain amount of fruit. If we go to Buritis to harvest some açaí, for example. We'll only take the amount that we will actually eat and consume."

However, their land currently faces unprecedented threats. The Karipuna Indigenous Territory ranks among Brazil's most deforested Indigenous lands, with significant increases in deforestation rates since 2018. Recent satellite imagery reveals that nearly one-third of their territory is threatened by invasions from illegal loggers and land grabbers, while the surrounding areas have been largely cleared for cattle ranching.

The Karipuna face a complex web of interconnected challenges that threaten not only their territory but their very survival as a People. The environmental degradation of their land has reached critical levels, with satellite data revealing that between 2015 and 2021 the territory lost an alarming 4,754 hectares of vegetation. This destruction continues through persistent illegal logging and land grabbing, with invaders now constructing unauthorized settlements within the Indigenous territory.

The impact of climate change has become increasingly evident in recent years. As Adriano Karipuna observes, 

"Things weren't the same ten years ago. It's really warm. Our rivers are drying too early. Our rivers are overflowing too early. There is less fish. There's less wildlife. Several plant species are disappearing."

Traditional seasonal patterns that the Karipuna relied upon for generations have shifted dramatically. Where rain once fell reliably from November through March, the community now faces unpredictable weather patterns and severe droughts.

Water security has become a pressing concern, despite their location in the heart of the Amazon. Recent data from 2024 shows the Madeira River reaching critically low levels, dropping below 1 meter compared to 2.04 meters in 2023. Beyond the drought, water quality has deteriorated due to contamination from surrounding agricultural activities. As Adriano explains,

"Our rivers are contaminated with toxic agrochemicals, since a lot of ranches surround our Indigenous Territory. When rain comes, these products flow into the river and they contaminate the river. The water we drink is fetched from this river. Fish are also contaminated."

The community's food sovereignty has been severely compromised. Traditional food sources are disappearing as deforestation destroys fruit trees and impacts wildlife populations. Adriano notes that 

"Much of our economy depended on areas that were deforested, that was where our income came from. The açaí, the chestnuts, all the fruits that we used to sell are gone. Because deforestation destroyed everything. Chestnut trees were cut down. Açaí were cut down. They turned land into pastures to raise cattle."

Perhaps most concerning is the constant threat to the safety of environmental defenders. The region has become one of the world's most dangerous for Indigenous leaders and environmental activists. As Adriano stresses,

"We are unprotected. There are no safety measures to protect us. And the forest that we are protecting and taking care of is under threat."

Despite a government-led operation to remove illegal occupants completed in July 2024, the community continues to report new invasions. The situation is further complicated by widespread forest fires, with over 13,000 hot spots detected in Rondônia in just the first half of September 2024. The Karipuna find themselves lacking even basic equipment to combat these fires, while facing increasingly dangerous conditions in their role as forest guardians.

The Instituto Etnoambiental Tangareí Karipuna represents a crucial milestone in the Karipuna People's fight for survival and self-determination. It emerged from the community's collective vision and the tireless leadership of Adriano Karipuna, who began his environmental activism at the age of 14 and is now pursuing a law degree to better defend his People's rights.

The Institute's mission extends beyond traditional environmental conservation, embracing a holistic approach that recognizes the inseparable connection between Indigenous rights and environmental protection. Through its work, the organization strives to preserve not only the physical landscape but also the cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and spiritual practices that make the Karipuna People unique.

At its core, the Institute focuses on building sustainable solutions for territorial defense while fostering community development. Their approach encompasses environmental monitoring and protection, Indigenous rights advocacy in both national and international settings, cultural preservation, and educational initiatives.



The Institute operates under a robust governance structure that ensures transparency and community participation in all decision-making processes. The Institute's programs for sustainable development fully align with traditional Karipuna values and practices.

The Institute's current initiative represents a comprehensive approach to building resilient Indigenous-led environmental protection in the Amazon. At its heart, the project focuses on developing strong organizational foundations while maintaining the capacity to respond to urgent environmental and social challenges.

The institutional strengthening component focuses on building the Institute's capacity to serve as an effective advocate and defender of Karipuna rights and territories. This includes developing robust organizational systems, enhancing project management capabilities, and establishing effective communication protocols. The Institute is working to create sustainable funding strategies and build strategic partnerships that will ensure its long-term effectiveness.

Emergency response capabilities form a crucial part of the project, given the increasing threats to Karipuna territory. The Institute is developing comprehensive protocols for responding to environmental threats, coordinating with enforcement agencies, and mobilizing resources during crises. This includes training community members in emergency management and establishing efficient communication networks.

The project also encompasses a strong focus on environmental protection, combining traditional knowledge with modern technology. This includes implementing territory monitoring systems, developing reforestation initiatives, and creating strategies for adapting to climate change impacts. The Institute is working to document and preserve traditional environmental knowledge while building new capabilities for protecting their lands.