Moraro Protected Rainforest

Protecting & Preserving Nature

In Moraro, we believe that helping to keep the forest alive is part of our destiny and with current issues concerning the welfare of tropical rainforests; we have designated Moraro’s high-forest as a protected area.  This is to preserve a home/sanctuary for the many species that still frequent the area, to maintain an original forest and simply to just enjoy.

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Characteristics of Moraro rainforest

Hauling a canoe through the forest

Anacardium giganteum (hubuji) fruit

Macaw eating in the hubuji tree

Attalea maripa flowers

Preserved Attalea maripa palm

​The preserved forest starts on the hill top and continues down the slope into the swamp. Species threatened by deforestation like the Green-winged macaw (Ara  chloropterus) and various types of Blue Morpho butterfly  still live in the area. There are also some endangered species of tropical trees. As the name Moraro suggests,  Mora (Mora excelsa) which is an endangered specie still grow in the area.  Endangered trees also there are Hakia (Tabebula sarratifolia),  Asepoko (Pouteria guianensis) and Maporokon (Inga alba) Among our prized trees in Moraro is the anacardium giganteum known locally as hubuji. It is rare and does not fruit annually as do the anacardium occidentale. The fruit is very succulent and a favourite to make the much loved juice.

Traditionally, people farm, hunt or build on ancestral lands, and even with these activities lands have been sustained for centuries.
With modern challenges like declining resources, climate change and forest loss, we have to look at alternative ways of preserving nature. In Moraro, though we use farming methods such as Reforestation farming that are kind to the land, we still need to respond to the challenges of forest loss.
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As custodians, we aim to highlight the importance of the natural eco-system to native species and to create an awareness of the magnificence of the rainforest

Moraro Protected forest: A Bird-lover’s Paradise 

​The forest supports and is home to a wealth of birds including rare species.

​Though they have not been systematically categorised, from observing and listening, they include: Tinamous, Curassows, Vultures, Hawks, Trumpeters, Plovers, Sandpipers, Pigeons, Doves, Parrots, Hoatzin, Owls, Nighthawks, Swifts, Hummingbirds, Toucans, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, Swallows, Wrens, Tanagers and Finches.

Hoatzins are most often heard than seen. They frequent mostly in the dry season.

The protected giant hubuji (anacardium giganteum) tree encourages scarlet macaws

Gray-winged Trumpeter Psophia crepitans can be seen or heard especially during their breeding season. They make excellent pets

When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, 
when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, 
only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
~ Cree Prophecy ~