DAY TWELVE: MAGAUARI COMMUNITY

• BOAT RIDE TO TAPAJOS NATIONAL FOREST

• VISIT MAGAURI COMMUNITY, DISCUSS CONSERVATION AND NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS

This was our ride to the Magauari
Community. These boats are often called
"Po po po" due to the sound that their
engines make as they transport people
and goods along the Amazon.

Photos by Lucus Fortini

Natural rubber is made from the latex of Hevea brasiliansis trees, which Magauri villagers 'tap' by cutting and re-cutting grooves through the bark. The latex is then processed and sold in Brazilian markets. As can be seen by the many grooves in this tree's trunk, it has been tapped extensively.

Production of 'vegetable leather' is a new form of income within the Magauri community. These environmentally friendly handbags look similar to leather, but do not require animal products.