91997E4085

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4085/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (16 January 1998)

Subject: Mapping of indigenous territories in the Amazon region

A number of projects to map indigenous territories and protected areas in the Amazon region have been carried out on the instructions of the European Commission.

In what countries have indigenous territories and protected areas been mapped and how complete are the maps that have been produced to date? Under what framework are supplementary projects being planned and to what extent are private undertakings involved in them? Is there any connection between these mapping projects and the PPG7 pilot project?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4084/97, E-4085/97 and E-4086/97 given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (3 February 1998)

The Community has financed numerous projects in Amazonia involving the mapping of indigenous territories, through the tropical forest budget line. These projects aim to establish the limits of indigenous territories with the primary intention of encouraging the conservation and sustainable development of tropical forests, so that such groups can chose to continue to practise their traditional ways of life wherever feasible and sustainable given competing demands from other land-users.

The Commission was invited to assist developing countries establish an accurate overall view of indigenous lands in their territories. In this context the Commission is preparing a working document on support for indigenous people in development cooperation.

The Commission has assisted the Instituto socio-ambiental (ISA) in Brazil to prepare accurate, up-to-date maps of indigenous territories in that country, and to set up a network linking similar organisations in Latin America to share experience and coordinate transboundary activities. This work is continuing in a second phase which is just getting under way, that will incorporate other geographical information such as vegetation types, into a single GIS (geographic information system). ISA has thus become the national repository of information on indigenous territories in Brazil, to the extent that government organisations such as National foundation of support to the indigenous (FUNAI), turn first to ISA for maps and to help resolve land conflict issues involving indigenous people. ISA has also got strong links with the G7 pilot programme, particularly the 'Indigenous lands' project, which has been demarcating the legal boundaries of recognised indigenous groups in the Brazilian Amazon with support from the German government and the Community (through the Rainforest trust fund).

In Brazil, ISA maintains very close contact with the government, especially FUNAI, the federal department responsible for indigenous affairs.