Tambopatas, the guardians of a paradise in Madre de Dios

Led by the tireless Víctor Zambrano, the TamboPatas are a group of environmental defenders who are part of the Management Committee of the Tambopata National Reserve in Madre de Dios. Their motto is the protection, defense, and conservation of this area rich in biodiversity, preventing the expansion of illegal mining in the Buffer Zone. In alliance with the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA), this group of brave citizens has worked on various projects for the benefit of the reserve.

The TamboPatas monitor nearly 80% of an area composed of 230,000 hectares, home to over 1,500 families. Since its formation in 2001, this group has participated in the recognition of the first four Private Conservation Areas (ACP) in Madre de Dios, located in the Lower Tambopata–Isuyama Corridor. In 2016, National Geographic recognized their work through their president, Víctor Zambrano, who was awarded the title of Conservation Hero.

Together with the SPDA, the committee has implemented the Alerta Ambiental virtual platform for citizen monitoring of environmental complaints with free legal assistance, as well as the installation of radars on tree canopies. These radars, created with recycled cell phones, transmit signals within a half-kilometer radius, allowing for the detection of noise and the sending of exact coordinates to authorities.

In 2019, the Ministry of the Environment awarded the SPDA the National Environmental Prize for its campaign in support of the TamboPatas. With the donations received, the group was able to optimize its monitoring of illicit activities and provide legal support to those affected by illegal mining. Additionally, two improvements were achieved: an increase in the state’s presence in the Tambopata National Reserve and its buffer zone, as well as the mobilization of authorities for raids on illegal mining and logging operations.

Other key elements of this campaign include environmental education, focused on local interest groups to raise awareness about their rights and the value of nature conservation, as well as providing guidance to local residents and producers on environmentally sustainable alternatives. Undoubtedly, these are crucial points in the conservation of this great treasure called Tambopata, making its members pivotal figures in the preservation of the Peruvian Amazon.