Calabaza is also located on the bird watching route known as the “Satipo road” in the Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve.
© Gerson Ferrer | Yunkawasi
Participatory Conservation of the Tropical Andes in the Department of Junín – Peru
Thanks to the joint efforts of the Calabaza community, the Regional Government of Junín, the Yunkawasi Civil Association and the Provincial Municipality of Satipo, birdwatching has been promoted as a sustainable economic alternative in the heart of the cloud forests of Satipo.
These coordinated efforts have allowed Calabaza to promote its own sustainable development initiatives through the formation of a birdwatching tourism association. This association seeks to strengthen the capacities of its members and promote the improvement of their tourism equipment and infrastructure.
As part of these initiatives, in March a participatory study was carried out in the area on the diversity of bird species and the identification of potential tourist routes in the town center.
A proposal for diversity
The Calabaza Village Center is part of the proposed San Cristóbal de Pucutá – Menkori Regional Conservation Area (RCA), an initiative of the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Office of Junín.
Its purpose is to conserve more than 60,000 hectares of natural wealth and promote a development model that benefits local communities, guarantees their quality of life, and safeguards the responsible use of resources.
Conserving the diversity of birds is one of the main objectives of this next protected area in Junín. The project is in stage II of its establishment process, with technical and financial support from Yunkawasi Civil Association, Rainforest Trust, Andes Amazon Fund and the Conserva Aves initiative.
Calabaza: home to numerous birds
In the area of Calabaza alone, more than 100 different bird species have been reported, including some endemic species that make Calabaza a destination of high interest for birdwatchers worldwide.
Among the species unique to Peru, the Oxapampa antpitta (Grallaria centralis) and the Junín antpitta (Grallaria obscura) stand out, as well as the Junín tapaculo (Scytalopus gentryi) and the jalca tapaculo (Scytalopus frankeae).
For more than 10 years, the inhabitants of Calabaza, also located within the Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve, have been committed to bird watching tourism as a source of sustainable development.
Currently, they have a lodge in the process of being implemented, several restaurants to serve their visitors, and local guides who accompany birdwatchers visiting the area to identify the main species.
Inhabitants of the Calabaza Settlement Center participated in the study together with the technical team of the San Cristóbal de Pucutá – Menkori RCA proposal.
© Gerson Ferrer | Yunkawasi
Sustainability and next steps
The organized population of Calabaza has as its next great challenge to participate and stand out in the Global Big Day 2025, a world birding event to be held on May 10.
As an ally of the San Cristóbal de Pucutá – Menkori RCA proposal, Calabaza aims to distinguish itself and position itself as a key destination for birdwatching tourism at regional and national level.
“The idea is to continue promoting our locality with this new bird inventory we have made, so we can reach more tourists and move forward,” concluded Carlos De la Cruz, agent of the Calabaza Settlement Center.
The local guides of Calabaza Town Center together with the team of the Regional Government of Junín,
Yunkawasi Civil Association and the Provincial Municipality of Satipo.
© Gerson Ferrer | Yunkawasi
Press contact:
Gerson Ferrer | gferrer@yunkawasiperu.org | +51 945 690 022
