Ecotourism

Amazonat is an ecolodge founded on ecotourism principles.  Our goal is to share the untamed beauty of the Amazon with our visitors while following environmental and conservation practices. By teaching both visitors and locals about the value of maintaining the Amazon for future generations, we hope to teach about and implement sustainable practices and preserve this unique area.

“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local peoples.”

International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Ecotourism

- All nature-based forms of tourism to observe and appreciate nature as well as    traditional cultures in the area.
- Contains educational and interpretive features.
- Organized for small groups by specialized and locally owned businesses.
- Minimizes negative impacts on the natural and socio cultural environment.
- Supports the protection of natural areas by:
   1) generating benefits for the local community
   2) creating jobs and income for local communities; and
   3) increasing awareness among locals and tourists of the need to conserve        natural and cultural assets.

United Nations World Tourism Organization

Amazonat Ecotourism Practices

Nature: Group tours have a maximum of 8 persons. Only 2 group tours are allowed in terra firme forests on a daily basis to minimize wear and tear of the rainforest.  We avoid showing the forest in a destructive way when examining characteristics of any given species of plant, tree or animal.  Injured animals, victims of poaching or wildlife trade brought to the lodge, are nursed to health and then released to the wild.

Construction: Amazonat is fully constructed under the F.S.C  (Forest Stewardship Council) label and is advised by the Kronendak Foundation that is affiliated with the University of Wageningen and Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Energy:  Energy is generated with environmentally friendly generators in combination with solar water heating systems and Ecoline lamps.

Cooling: fans

Cleaning: no harsh chemicals used

Water: We have our own mineral deep water well with an integrated distribution system. Wastewater is purified with four reactors that can treat 12m3/day. Resulting water quality is approved by the federal government for release into the environment.

Cooking: gas tanks

Waste disposal: Organic waste – compost heap.  Compost is used in gardens and orchards. Non-organic waste is transported to a city landfill since our lodge does not have a permanent waste deposit. Wastewater is purified and discharged on our grounds. 

Insect, pest control: The sanitary division of the state government inspects our site on a regular basis.  If necessary treatments against termite ants are carried out.

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We provide technical backup for the rehabilitation project initiated by FUNAI in 2004 for the  "Sataré Mauwè" tribe (40 families) in 230.000 hectares (600,000 acres) close to the lodge. We also cooperate closely with INPA, Institute National Pesquisas Amazonas.

We provide medicines; school supplies and mechanical help to a nearby village.  Amazonat supports the nearby community cooperative in cultivating pineapple and other local fruit. Almost all of our staff comes from the surrounding communities and our vegetables, fruit and fish are purchased locally.  Guests interact with the local community by visiting the school and medical center.  We focus on showing the real Amazonian way of life without any “tourist nostalgia”.

Amazonat is affiliated with PIATAM and was selected by them as a center from which to run scientific and educational programs. Created in 2000 as a project from Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), PIATAM is sponsored by the Oil and Gas Sector - CT Petro and managed by FINEP - Studies and Projects Financer. PIATAM brings together scientists and technicians from the major learning and and research institutions in the Amazon like UFAM and INPA, as well as researchers from Petrobas Research and Development Center (CENPES), COOPE/Rio de Janeiro, Universidade de São Paulo and North American institutes like Lee and Washington University in the USA.

Amazonat also works with the Kronendak Foundation in the Netherlands to provide students from several Dutch universities opportunities to do tropical forest research designed for students doing BSc, MSc or PhD studies. When present, students staying at the lodge dedicate several hours per day to presentations and/or demonstrations to our guests providing a link between tourism ans scientific studies carried out at the lodge.

A small group of renowned scientists familiar with the region and the philosophy of the lodge support Amazonat. Most of these scientists worked or are still active in the region. One of these scientists is Prof. dr. ir. Oldeman who is the inventor of- and leading authority on "Canopy Farming".
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