Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-ir) -- In the Ucayali Region of Peru, an inland region located in the Amazon rainforest, 1,500 farmers from the Sinchi Roca Community have left their illegal coca plantations and become successful lumber industrialists.

44,700 hectares of this community's forest have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to take part in the lumber business, under the condition that all national and international laws are obeyed.

In addition, the Sinchi Roca Community has been assisted by the NCS American Forestal lumber company, which has a branch in Pucallpa and prepares wood products for exportation.

It was reported that it was necessary to establish a portable sawmill in the Sinchi Roca area due to the fact that not a lot of wood was commercially usable. NCS American Forestal is to establish a sawmill which will increase profit margins for the Sinchi Roca Community.

Currently, NCS American Forestal is financing the work being done by the Sinchi Roca Community. The work is being carried out with a 20,000 sole advance NCS has granted, which will also be used to build the campsite needed for the sawmill.

PDA Engineer Edwin Durand has stated that the Santa Martin Community, which has signed an agreement to eradicate illegal coca plantations and has also been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, could be the next community to associate themselves with a private company.