The Film 
The Bolivian Amazon is threatened by one of the biggest industrial undertakings in South America- the Chepete-Bala hydroelectric dam proposals. This 90-minute documentary follows Ruth Alipaz Cuqui as she fights to defend her river, her people, and eventually, her nation from exploitative development.

The Tuichi Expedition

The Tuichi River is infamous for its treacherous rapids, in the jungled mountains of Madidi National Park. After descending the Tuichi River the team confluences with the Beni River just at the site of the proposed Bala dam, before reaching the historic trading town of Rurrenabaque just below the dam site.

The Journey

 Working With Local Communities and Organizations

Local collaboration is essential for the project's success. This film is made in collaboration with:

SRSJ collaborates with La Mancomunidad de las comunidades de los ríos Beni, Tuichi, y Quiquibey (The commonwealth of the communities of the Beni, Tuichi, and Quiquibey Rivers). This organization represents and defends the threatened Moseten, Tacana, Uchupiamona, Esse' Eja, Tsimane communities that live along the banks of the Beni, Tuichi, and Quiquibey Rivers. This documentary is dedicated to their cause.​

Madidi National Park was recently declared the most biologically diverse national park in the world. SRSJ also works in capacitating national park guards and local community members in whitewater ecotourism development skills, in order to promote the conservation of the 7,320 square mile bio-cultural reserve. Donated rafts and equipment are essential for not only adventure-tourism development, but also for on-the-ground conservation by the national park guards to patrol for illegal miners, loggers, and poachers that threaten the forest.

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Chalalan Ecolodge: Supporting and promoting local ecotourism in the region, Chalalan Ecolodge is one of the oldest, and most conscientious entities of eco tourism in the Amazon. Operated by the indigenous Uchupiamona community, Chalalan is a pinnacle of sustainability in the region.