Santa Martha as a model ecological and sustainable community

Meeting with representatives of the municipal government authorities

Today, a meeting was held in the Indigenous community of Santa Martha, bringing together representatives of the local authorities and members of the Indigenous community. The discussions focused on strategies for developing the community into an ecological tourism destination where visitors can experience Indigenous culture while promoting the protection and preservation of the natural environment.

To achieve this vision, the community will be enhanced through the development of a cultural center featuring an artisanal market, a museum, and a botanical garden. Plans also include large-scale reforestation within the community, integrating agroforestry systems with organic agriculture. In addition, the lagoons will be restored and cleaned, and a pedestrian promenade will be constructed to improve accessibility and visitor experience.

The Santa Martha community has recently obtained its official land title, following a two-year process of advocacy and legal recognition. This formal acknowledgment of Indigenous land ownership provides a foundation for future investment and sustainable development initiatives. However, ongoing environmental pressures from external actors, including polluting industrial activities, continue to pose significant challenges. The presence of illegal coal operations must be addressed in order to halt air and water contamination, restore ecological balance, and ensure long-term sustainability. Furthermore, river access is to be rehabilitated, including the construction of a small port to enable fishing activities and eco-tourism excursions.

Ecotourism plays a key role in supporting the preservation of traditional crafts such as embroidery, painting, and pottery by attracting visitors who value and actively support Indigenous cultural expression through their engagement and purchases. Ensuring that Indigenous communities can generate sustainable livelihoods from their cultural heritage is essential for its long-term continuity and vitality.

Santa Martha holds significant potential for development. A notable advantage is that the community leader, Roger Bardales, also serves as Ambassador of the Shipibo-Konibo people and is strongly committed to advancing both cultural preservation and sustainable development. His leadership seeks to balance the safeguarding of ancestral traditions with the creation of new pathways toward a secure and prosperous future.

While there are over 200 Indigenous communities in the Ucayali region, many are located several hours away from urban centers. In contrast, Santa Martha is situated only ten minutes from the city center and therefore benefits from ideal conditions to develop tourism and serve as a model community that integrates environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, living Indigenous culture, and responsible ecotourism.

“Santa Martha in Pucallpa is envisioned as a green oasis where the culture and traditions of the Shipibo people can be experienced and where environmental conservation is actively practiced. At the same time, it is intended to serve as a model for other communities, demonstrating that it is possible for Indigenous peoples to move toward a modern future without losing their ancestral roots.” Roger Bardales

The municipal authorities welcomed the concepts and recognized the potential of the location, identifying significant opportunities for the development of ecotourism in the area.