The Institute for Development and Environment (IDMA, Apurimac), with funding from the Conserve Birds Initiative, has been consolidating important milestones in the protection of water ecosystems and high Andean biodiversity in the Mariño micro-basin, within the framework of the project “Ecosystem protection for the survival of threatened wild birds in the headwaters of the Mariño micro-basin: Proposal for the creation of the Rontoccocha RCA.”
During 2025, the project has made significant progress in the defense of the territory, scientific monitoring and environmental awareness, strengthening local and regional governance around the future Rontoccocha Regional Conservation Area (RCA), which seeks to protect more than 42,000 hectares of strategic ecosystems for water and biodiversity in Apurimac.
Queuña forest and grasslands in the proposed Rontoccocha Regional Conservation Area © AVargas
Water defense and institutional articulation
At the beginning of the year, the technical team of the Regional Government of Apurimac identified more than 32 mining claims within the scope of the Rontoccocha RCA proposal, which generated concern among the local communities and the institutions involved.
In view of this, and thanks to the articulation of different coordination spaces, the Vice-governor of Apurimac, Marisol Valer Miranda, became directly involved and led the creation of the Multisectoral Commission in defense of the Apurimac region's water resources through regional executive resolution N°156-2025-GORE.APURIMAC/GR. This commission, whose main objective is the integrated and sustainable management of water resources, is chaired by the Vice-governor and with the Technical Secretariat in charge of the Regional Management of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (GRRNGMA) and the IDMA Apurimac, has been coordinating actions among different sectors to ensure the efficient and equitable use of water, as well as its conservation and protection.
In this multi-sectoral work space, technical meetings and roundtables have been held to analyze the procedural aspects related to the mining claims and concessions superimposed on the territory of the Rontoccocha RCA proposal. Likewise, strategic advocacy actions have been carried out before national authorities such as the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (INGEMMET), the Ministry of Environment, the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP) and the National Water Authority (ANA), in order to expose the challenges and risks involved in establishing this conservation area, essential for the protection of the high Andean ecosystems that guarantee water and life in the Mariño watershed.
As a result of this process of articulation and advocacy, the Regional Government of Apurimac has formally requested the suspension of the mining petition process before INGEMMET. In response to this request, INGEMMET has asked SERNANP for updated information on the status of the recognition process of the Rontoccocha RCA proposal, within the framework of the established competencies.s.
“This achievement represents a historic step for the territorial management of Apurimac. The defense of water unites communities, institutions and young people under the same cause: to protect life and the future of the region”, said Yerssey Caballero Palomino, IDMA Apurimac Program Director.
Formation of the Multisectoral Commission for the Defense of Water Resources in the Apurimac Region © IDMA
Scientific monitoring and conservation of endangered birds
In June 2025, the annual census of avifauna within the scope of the proposed Rontoccocha RCA was carried out, recording the presence of four key conservation species:
- Churrete Real (Cinclodes aricomae)
- Ash-breasted Bullfinch (Anairetes alpinus)
- White-browed thrift (Leptasthenura xenothorax)
- Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
The study, prepared by biologist Jaime Valenzuela, identified more than 60 bird species in the relict queñua forests (Polylepis spp..), reaffirming the high ecological value of the area.
One of the most relevant findings was the record of a family group of Churrete Real (Cinclodes aricomae), a critically endangered species with less than 300 individuals in the world, which makes Rontoccocha a priority site for conservation (Valenzuela, 2025).
“The occurrence of the four key bird species in the Polylepis forests of the Rontoccocha sector confirms that these ecosystems have a high priority for conservation, for their role as natural refuges for threatened biodiversity and for the services they generate for the benefit of local populations”, explained specialist Jaime Valenzuela Tujillo.
Churrete Real (Cinclodes aricomae) © JValenzuela
Environmental education and youth leadership
The educational component of the project continues to promote guided visits with more than five educational institutions in Abancay to the Rontoccocha RCA proposal.
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These workshops were developed in coordination with the Empresa Municipal de Servicio de Abastecimiento de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado - EMUSAP Abancay and ECOENERGIA, allowing students and teachers to recognize the high Andean ecosystems, lagoons, wetlands and queñua forests, understanding their role in water regulation. At the same time, the Community Environmental Promoters Training Program continues to strengthen the capacities of young people and local leaders in the management of conservation areas, biodiversity monitoring and sustainable enterprises compatible with the protection of the territory.
“Educational visits strengthen environmental awareness through experience. When students observe how water is born in Rontoccocha, they understand the importance of conserving the ecosystems that make it possible. This knowledge is transformed into citizen commitment, Naysha Kari Damian, specialist of the Health Education Program of EMUSAP Abancay.
Guided tour of the I.E Adventista Pedro Kalbermatter - Abancay © IDMA
Projection and sustainability
With this progress, the process of creating the Rontoccocha Regional Conservation Area is moving into its third technical stage before SERNANP, with the leadership of the Regional Government of Apurimac, and the support of EMUSAP, ECOENERGIA, the Mariño Good Governance Platform and the rural communities.
The project thus reaffirms the commitment of local and regional stakeholders to the defense of water, biodiversity and sustainable development in Apurimac.
