On a sweltering Sunday morning, 20 Indigenous men from a community in the Ecuadorean Amazon embarked on a canoe journey to a neighboring village for an intervillage sports competition, a long-awaited event that fosters community ties.
For many participants, this event marked a reunion, as expressed by Luciano Peas, a 28-year-old member of the Achuar Indigenous group, who noted he had not visited Kusutkao since childhood.
The canoe, a traditional river vessel, featured 24 solar panels that power an engine, representing a shift towards electric-powered transportation in the region. This initiative is part of a growing fleet of solar-powered boats that offer a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to diesel-powered vessels.
Since the launch of the first solar-powered boat in 2017, these vessels have become essential for the Achuar community, facilitating transportation for children to schools, the sick to clinics, and mourners to funerals. Ninki Roland Antik shared a personal story of how a solar-powered boat saved his wife's life during a medical emergency.
The Achuar people inhabit the province of Pastaza, a vast rainforest area home to approximately 7,000 individuals living in scattered communities. With limited road access, rivers serve as crucial links between villages, a fact that has historically shaped the Achuar's way of life.
In recent decades, diesel-powered boats, known as peque peque, have dominated transportation in the Amazon, leading to significant environmental concerns. These boats, while faster, have contributed to water pollution and declining fish stocks, impacting the Achuar's traditional fishing practices.
Despite the convenience of diesel boats, their high operational costs and environmental impact prompted the search for alternatives. An Achuar legend and the assistance of an American teacher inspired the development of solar-powered canoes, leading to the establishment of the nongovernmental organization Kara Solar.
Since the first solar boat's launch, the Achuar community has expanded its fleet to include nine additional solar vessels operating across multiple countries, with plans to introduce 250 more in the next five years. However, challenges remain, including the reliability of the solar engines in navigating the Amazon's unpredictable waterways.
While some community members remain skeptical of solar canoes due to the speed of diesel boats, advocates are working to promote the benefits of cleaner transportation. Efforts are underway to redesign diesel boats for solar power, and new motors are being developed to enhance reliability.
The Achuar leadership emphasizes the importance of preserving their territory without the introduction of roads, which they believe can lead to negative social impacts. The ultimate goal is to transform the Kapawi River into a solar-powered transportation route, merging traditional practices with modern technology to secure a sustainable future for the community.