This project involves the construction and implementation of the Madidi Jaguar Lodge in the Ixiamas Municipal Tourism Reserve, immediately adjacent to Madidi National Park. This 37,000 hectare tropical forest was declared a Reserve in order to protect one side of the Madidi River, Alto Madidi. Wildlife densities are extremely high in this area. Furthermore, the wildlife appears somewhat ‘naive’ in that some species do not present characteristic fleeing behaviour in response to human observers - making it particularly attractive to tourism.
The aim is to protect and promote the Ixiamas Tourism Reserve, thus avoiding the considerable deforestation that would result from government directed and spontaneous colonisation, as has happened in other areas. It is hoped that the lodge will act as a major stimulus and catalyst for tourism in the Ixiamas Municipality, and have wider sustainable development benefits such as job creation and conservation of the Reserve biomass. It is anticipated that the lodge will receive at least 500 tourists a year.
The offset funds would be used to construct and equip the ecotourism lodge and implement tourism activities, monitoring and control, and vigilance and protection activities in the Reserve. Funds will also be used to train local staff involved in running the lodge, in the control and vigilance activities, and in the overall management of the Ixiamas Municipal Tourism Reserve.
The estimated timescale for project implementation is 30 months.