The preliminary Master Plan for the proposed Rontoccocha Regional Conservation Area (RCA), a technical instrument that will guide the integrated management of the area once it is officially recognized, was completed. This document establishes the guidelines for the conservation of the territory, incorporating technical criteria, threat analysis, biological information, as well as the definition of a long-term vision, strategic objectives and a zoning proposal.
The document was developed between September 2025 and January 2026, as part of the process of creating the Rontoccocha RCA, located in the headwaters of the Mariño micro-watershed in the Apurimac region. It was prepared through a participatory technical process led by the Regional Government of Apurimac, with funding from Profonanpe within the framework of the Bird Conservation Initiative, the technical accompaniment of the IDMA and the specialized assistance of the Andean Ecosystems Association (ECOAN).
“The preliminary Master Plan allows us to project a solid territorial management, based on scientific evidence and citizen participation, ensuring the conservation of water and biodiversity.rsity for future generations”The project's technical team pointed out.
Technical team of the Regional Government and IDMA during the working day for the elaboration of the preliminary Master Plan for the Rontoccocha RCA- © IDMA
In a context marked by pressures such as mining projects and changes in land use, the preparation of the Rontoccocha RCA Master Plan has become a key tool to guide management and strengthen the protection of more than 37,000 hectares of high Andean ecosystems, such as queñua forests, grasslands and wetlands, which are fundamental for regional water regulation and habitat for priority species such as the Cinclodes aricomae, Anairetes alpinus, Leptasthenura xenothorax and the Vultur gryphus.
This planning defines the management vision, water and biodiversity conservation objectives, as well as governance strategies and guidelines for activities compatible with conservation, integrating the participation of rural communities, public institutions and civil society actors. Thus, its consolidation marks a milestone by strengthening the technical bases and the shared vision to protect a key territory for the water and environmental future of Apurimac.
The project is part of the international initiative Preserves Birds, led by American Bird Conservancy (ABC), National Audubon Society (Audubon), BirdLife International and the Network of Environmental Funds of Latin America and the Caribbean (RedLAC), with the participation of ECOAN, Profonanpe y IDMA, and the financial backing of the Bezos Earth Fund.
