Regenerating Munduruku Territory in Brazil

The Amazon is one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. Yet it faces relentless threats from deforestation, industrial agriculture, and illegal gold mining. These activities contaminate land and water with mercury, causing serious harm to both nature and people. One of the most affected areas is the upper Tapajós River Basin in eastern Brazil, home to the Indigenous Munduruku people. The Munduruku have long fought for land rights and have become a powerful symbol of Indigenous and climate justice. Under Brazil’s current leadership, their chances of securing these rights have improved. However, the health and environmental impacts of illegal mining remain a major challenge.

Through this project, Amazon Watch, Inc. aims to kickstart the restoration of mercury-contaminated land and water. The goal is to develop scalable methods that combine Indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches.

The project is supported with 2,970,000 SEK.

What’s happening in the project?

– The project begins with a thorough assessment of the area, including soil and water testing. Together with local communities, restoration methods will be developed that blend scientific techniques with traditional wisdom.
– Pilot restoration efforts will be carried out in one or two selected areas.
– Community members—especially women and youth—will be trained to implement solutions, maintain systems, and monitor improvements in soil and water quality. All activities will be anchored in the community through public meetings and decision-making forums.
– A long-term restoration plan will be created, outlining responsibilities, actions, and resource needs. This plan will be shared with other affected areas through exchanges and gatherings.
– Restoring damaged land and water takes time. This project is designed to serve as a model for how restoration can be done, while also strengthening community cohesion and resilience.

Why is the project supported?

Many parts of the Amazon have suffered from unsustainable resource exploitation. There is an urgent need to strengthen Indigenous rights and knowledge. Indigenous-managed lands often act as carbon sinks and help preserve biodiversity.

Restoring land and water is a crucial step toward ensuring Indigenous communities have access to healthy environments, free from contamination, and can use the land to improve food security and overall well-being.