Photo: Profonanpe
The Molinopampa Palm Forest and Bird Conservation Project, located in the province of Rodriguez de Mendoza, Amazonas, has established itself as a crucial initiative for the preservation of native birds and their habitats. This project, which covers more than 20,500 hectares, began on February 5 to protect the avian species that inhabit the region and guarantee the sustainability of the water resources vital to the surrounding communities. Through the implementation of conservation practices and awareness programs, the project seeks not only to safeguard the rich avian fauna, but also to promote harmonious coexistence between people and their natural environment.
Protecting Biodiversity
The Palm Forest is a crucial area in terms of biodiversity, as it is home to unique species such as the spatuletail hummingbird, an endangered emblematic species, and the bird locally known as “Siqua”, both essential to the ecological balance of the forest. In addition, the project responds to a serious environmental issue, as the region has experienced an alarming water shortage, affecting local communities and highlighting the urgent need to conserve the headwaters.
Photo: Profonanpe
Socialization of the project with the community
Since its beginning in February, socialization meetings have been held in the annexes of San José de Dallavoz, Izcuchaca, Santa Cruz del Tingo, Ocol, Molinopampa and Pumahermana. Although there was initial resistance from the population, the coordinated work with the Rondas Campesinas (rural patrols) led to greater participation and acceptance of the project. Thanks to this joint effort, conservation activities have begun to be understood and valued as essential for the sustainable future of the region.
Photo: Profonanpe
Water Issues
One of the community’s major concerns is water scarcity. Four or five main water sources in the area have been identified as completely dry, a situation that has raised awareness of the importance of conserving the headwaters. This challenge has been one of the drivers for the local population to strongly support conservation initiatives.
Expansion of the conservation area
The project initially focused on protecting Cerro Pishcowañuna, an area with three main lagoons: Negra, Blanca and Cocha Conga. However, at the request of the community, the conservation area has been expanded to include Cerro Tio, a vital source of water for several annexes. This expansion demonstrates the local people’s commitment to protecting their natural resources.
About the Project:
Forging a Community Conservation Initiative during a special community assembly on July 7, the comprehensive conservation plan was approved with near unanimous consensus for the expansion of the protected area. This marks a critical milestone for the continued realization of this project, ensuring the full support of the communities that are in the process of creating and implementing the initiative.
Photo: Profonanpe
With this decision, a participatory design process has begun in which critical events have already been taking place, such as the delimitation of multiple use areas in collaboration with the communities. This will also support the eventual elimination of population centers from the protected region, which will allow for its expansion and the definition of boundaries to prevent urban and agricultural regions near the Mendoza Route from being protected by including populated and agricultural areas. This is an attempt to maintain a balance between nature and the sustainable development needs of the communities.
As part of the participatory approach strategy, the project has developed environmental education workshops in collaboration with Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza. These workshops have had a positive impact on the communities by educating the younger generation about the importance of forest species and how they can play a role in ecosystem conservation.
Challenges and Achievements
Despite initial challenges, growing concern about the water crisis has been a key factor in securing public support for the project. Landowners far beyond the intervention area are voluntarily donating their land to be included in the conservation areas. This demonstrates not only the success of a community approach, but also demonstrates the long-term positive influence.
This effort will not only protect critically endangered birds and species and the important role they play in the biosphere, from seed dissemination to pest control; it will also ensure fresh, clean water for future generations, demonstrating a total commitment to sustainability and the complete conservation of the area.
About Conserva Aves
Conserva Aves is the protection of territories of life. It is an innovative, bold and visionary initiative for effective nature conservation. Thanks to its versatile and dynamic essence, it adapts to each territory to guarantee the creation and sustainable management of subnational protected areas that safeguard threatened endemic and migratory birds and their habitats throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Conserve Birds is an inclusive strategy for conservation and the fight against climate change, for the benefit of birds, biodiversity, and present and future generations. In Peru, this mission is carried out by the Peruvian Fund for the Promotion of Protected Natural Areas (Profonanpe), an entity specialized in raising and managing financial resources for the implementation of biodiversity conservation programs and projects, and ECOAN, a non-profit NGO dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and threatened Andean ecosystems.
Contact
Angers William Espejo Pingus
AMA NETWORK Environmental Specialist
Eduard Valdivia Torres
