The rural community of Pichirhua, located in the province of Abancay (Apurímac), has been taking key steps towards the conservation of its high Andean ecosystems through the proposed recognition of the Pichirhua Private Conservation Area, with the help of Amazon Conservation (ACCA) with the support of the Bird Conservation Initiative. The aim is to protect headwaters that supply water to more than 340 families, conserving strategic ecosystems such as wetlands, lagoons, grasslands and queñua forests, and strengthening the water security of the communal territory.
The proposal covers 4,810 hectares and is part of the Antabamba-Chalhuanca River Key Biodiversity Area, an area of high ecological importance that harbors life zones essential for water regulation and the conservation of the Antabamba-Chalhuanca River. conservation of endangered birds like Cinclodes aricomae (Critically Endangered), Anairetes alpinus (Endangered), Vultur gryphus (Endangered) and Synallaxis courseni (Vulnerable).
These efforts are led by the community itself, The area has been participating in spaces for information, dialogue, and decision making to advance its official recognition. The process includes the socialization of the benefits of conservation, community validation and the definition of commitments for the management of the area.
“The conservation of our headwaters is key to our lives. This process is helping us to organize ourselves better as a community and to take care of our territory together.”, Basilio Rojas, president of the Junta Vecinal de la Comunidad Campesina de Pichirhua, said.
Informative meeting for the Board of Directors of the Pichirhua Rural Community on the project “Bird Refuge: ACP Pichirhua” - © Conservación Amazónica
The proposal is framed within the work of Amazon Conservation - ACCA, with the support of the Bird Conservation Initiative and its national partners, Profonanpe y ECOAN, to strengthen community-based conservation, promoting tools that integrate biodiversity, governance and sustainable development in the Andes and the Amazon.
Conserva Aves is an alliance between American Bird Conservancy (ABC), National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, Birds Canada and the Latin American and Caribbean Environmental Funds Network (RedLAC). In Peru it is implemented by Profonanpe in conjunction with Andean Ecosystems Association (ECOAN). It also has the financial backing of the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
