Txai Social Projects: The Txaitaruga Project

16.5.08

The Txaitaruga Project

A Turtle’s Place is in the Sea

Txaitaruga is a program aimed at helping to preserve marine turtles using the beaches of Itacaré and Serra Grande, on Bahia state’s south coast, as their nesting grounds, and which are threatened with extinction. Created by Txai Resort in 2004, the project is co-sponsored by the TAMAR marine turtle project, the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC) and Track & Field. More than 30 kms of beaches are monitored by members of TXAITARUGA, specially trained by the TAMAR project: from the beach at Sargi (Serra Grande-Uruçuca), to the headland at Itacarezinho (Itacaré),Marine turtles come to Brazil's beaches to nest between September and March, with the last eggs hatching in May.

THE PROJECT:

caring for the females and their nests until the eggs hatch;
talking with fishermen to avoid accidental capture;
keeping a database on the turtles;
developing workshops in the region’s schools;
raising environmental awareness;
inviting local and tourists to take part.

RESULTS OF THE 2006-2007 SEASON

Hatchlings Protected

Loggerhead Turtle 797
Hawksbill Turtle 1118
Total 1985

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The word Txai

In the language of the Kaxinawa indigenous people, living in the Amazonian state of Acre, the word “txai” means “companion”. It is used as a term of respect and affection by rubber tappers, Indians, locals and by all the allies of the “peoples of the forest”. It also means “my other half” a summary of the Txai philosophy: the wellbeing of all who come here, from the native population to the ecosystem around it. The sustainability of the elements is what is most important to us: preservation in harmony with nature, thinking of a better world for tomorrow in this, our home, Planet Earth.

The seven principles of sustainable tourism

Some basic criteria guide the activities of sustainable tourism and its relationship with the socio-environmental system at the Txai:
1) Respect the legislation in effect;
2) Guarantee the rights of the local population;
3) Preserve the natural environment and its biodiversity;
4) Respect local culture and values;
5) Encourage the social and economic development of ecotourism destinations;
6) Guarantee the quality of products, processes and attitudes;
7) Establish responsible planning and management.

Sustainable density

Since the beginning , Txai has carried out sustainable low-impact tourism with a low density of occupation. There are just 40 bungalows, normally occupied by couples. The hotel’s built area covers no more than 3% of the 100-hectare area of Atlantic Rainforest, which is being preserved and reforested with native species. The buildings are all in harmony with nature, blending into the native landscape.

Water: source of life

Use it without using it up. Give back to nature only respect. The responsible use of water has been top of Txai’s agenda since its creation. All the water used in the hotel is treated by a modern filter system that returns it to nature free of impurities.

Waste: our responsibility

Separating waste and disposing of it correctly is a responsibility taken seriously at Txai. All waste produced here is sent to a sorting center and for separated collection. Organic residue is composted to make an excellent organic fertilizer, used in the vegetable gardens and farms of the region. Bottles, cans, glass, plastics and paper are being re-utilized as packaging for the products of the “companions” project, or recycled or sold.

Growing with us

Txai gives preference to employing staff from among local inhabitants, who then have an opportunity for growth and making a career in the company, with skills-training and language courses. A good part of the team working in the Shamash Healing Space, for example, are native to the region, receiving professional training in holistic therapies. As part of the company’s philosophy of sustainability, Shamash uses herbs and flowers from its own herbarium to produce the teas and aromatic essences used in its treatments.

Tours: Leaving no trace

Txai aims on its tours to ensure the minimum of environmental impact, complying with the regulations for nature reserves, employing local tour guides who respect the local population and environment, in addition to aiming at reverting economic benefits to the local communities and preserving the environment.

The 10 commandments of the Companions of Txai

It is the small farmer’s responsibility to follow the Commandments below:
1) Practice organic agriculture: to be certified and/or taking part in the certification process;
2) Maintain the property along environmentally appropriate lines: DO NOT deforest, DO NOT cause fires, etc.;
3) Receive and practice the technical guidance given by the TXAI SOCIAL and FLORESTA VIVA technical staff;
4) Be regular and punctual in the supplying of products, within the stipulated standards of quality;
5) Participate in the project’s activities: meetings, training, etc.;
6) Use the products received via the CSA – Compensation for Environmental Services, to improve the property;
7) Comply with the stipulated deadlines for delivering products;
8) Have personal documents and those of the family in order: National ID, Social Insurance ID, Birth Certificate, and others;
9) Comply with legal and social requirements: children of school age enrolled in school, up-to-date vaccination for all the family, DO NOT commit acts of violence, act within the project’s ethical and moral principles, with family members, etc;
10) Behave ethically with the family and other COMPANIONS.

It is Txai Social’s responsibility to:

1) Supply continued technical assistance;
2) Effect payment for the products delivered to the TXAI RESORT and the release of the CSA funds, by the 30th of each month;
3) Acquire the products requested that comply with the standards set by the hotel.

16.5.08

The Txaitaruga Project

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