ECUADOR - Land Tenure and Property Rights Portal

4.2.5 LTPR Intervention 5: Delimiting and Demarcating BoundariesDescription of Intervention: The enforcement of territorial rights is difficult to execute without physicalindicators of boundaries. These help internal and external actors understand and comply with territorialboundaries. Clearing land and placing signs that visibly demarcate the limits of each community’s territorywas an important intervention within the CAIMAN project. Trained community members, including parkguards, participated in delimitation and demarcation activities. Across Cofán territory, a total 248 kilometersof boundaries were demarcated.Outcomes: Within the project, this intervention aimed to support the following high-level outcomes:Indigenous groups with adequate legal rights (HO-1) and Territorial rights of indigenous communities respected (HO-2).Respondent opinions, however, were clearly focused on the latter. Many of those interviewed indicated thatthis intervention contributed to: (a) greater respect for territory; (b) improved security; (c) resolution ofdifficult issues; and (d) establishment of boundaries. In some cases, the clearing and marking of territorialboundary required the resolution of, sometimes decades-old, conflicts with neighboring communities(colonists or indigenous communities). It also allowed for reconciliation between legal boundaries and sociallyrecognized boundaries, contributing to the prevention of further conflicts.While not meriting the category of unexpected outcome, it is noteworthy that one respondent crediteddemarcation and delimitation for enabling park guards to work in a more informed manner. Thus, at least oneinformant identified the synergy between this intervention and other border enforcement activities.4.2.6 LTPR Intervention 6: Patrolling BordersDescription of Intervention: Border patrolling is a visible mechanism for the defense of property rights andthe enforcement of rule of law. Fundación Cofán and CAIMAN collaborated in creating the Cofán ForestGuard Program. Approximately 60 border guards (including women) received training on topics such as firstaid, global positioning systems use, conflict resolution, and biological monitoring. In addition to protectingterritory and demarcating and maintaining boundaries, park guards also collect data on the biological health ofthe flora and fauna within their boundaries (See Annex G, Figures G-1 and G-2 for park guard monitoringsheets). The guards are broken into two groups: (i) park guards monitor areas within the protected areasystem and possess the same rights as MOE guards; and (ii) forest guards monitor titled communities such asDuvuno and Dureno. Operationally speaking, the guards organize into roving patrols and staff rangerstations.Outcomes: Responses gleaned on this intervention demonstrate a strong linkage to attaining expected midleveloutcomes: Borders of indigenous territories respected (MO-3) and agreed property rights enforced at the local level (MO-4). Likewise, respondents point to an important tie between this intervention and the expected high-leveloutcome, Territorial rights of indigenous people respected (HO-2). The conservation of natural resources was alsoidentified as an outcome of the border patrol program. According to respondents, this is occurring throughthree means: (i) guards protecting natural resources within Cofán territory; (ii) guards earning a consistentincome that reduces pressure on the environment (i.e., usingland/resources to fulfill basic needs); and (iii) enhanced feelings ofresponsibility toward the environment on the part of youngCofáns participating in the guard program. Thus, the guardprogram was also seen as contributing to the attainment of thestrategic-level objective Biodiversity conservation (SO1).Additional important outcomes of border patrolling activitiescited included the generation of leadership skills and employmentfor (mainly young) community members. Several other interesting“I am happy and content that Ihave this work and that I amconserving the forest. Before, Inever had these types of ideasabout preserving animals andterritories like this. ”–Cofán park guard16 INDIGENOUS TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN ECUADOR: RAPID IMPACT ASSESSMENT