Ecuador incorporates 25,000 hectares of paramo to its protected areas

The Ministry of the Environment reported in a statement that the incorporated protected area, number 77 at the national level, corresponds to the so-called Machángara-Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge , which has an area of ​​24,958 hectares.

With this declaration, the authorities intend to contribute to the “connectivity of high Andean ecosystems and the protection of endemic species,” the source said.

The Minister of the Environment, José Antonio Dávalos , officially declared said protected area established and maintained that “this is the first step in a long journey ahead.”

“Starting today we must join forces between the Government, the community and civil society to implement effective conservation measures in favor of our natural heritage,” added Dávalos,

According to him, “this protected area will not only benefit the species that inhabit it, but will improve our quality of life because by conserving ecosystems we can access services such as the supply of clean water, climate regulation and protection against natural disasters.” » .

With this type of initiatives “we not only protect ourselves, but we ensure a dignified future for our present and future generations ,” the minister added.

For his part, Christian Piedra, from the Conservation Committee of the Machángara River Basin, pointed out that the measure also represents a commitment from the community “to protect the wildlife and resources of this area for the benefit of the country.”

“In this way we honor our motto: Conserve to live,” added Piedra, highlighting that the Machángara-Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge is an Andean paramo ecosystem and a wetland that generates 60% of the water that nourishes the city of Cuenca. (capital of the province of Azuay) and which benefits about 400,000 people.

This system of water sources also facilitates hydroelectric generation through two plants located in the area and provides irrigation to extensive crop areas in Azuay, the Ministry stated.

Likewise, this protected area provides environmental services for local development such as water regulation, carbon storage and the maintenance of ecological processes, among others, the source added.

The area declared under State protection, in addition to including moors of different types and Andean forests considered fragile, is home to 522 species of flora and fauna.

The Máchángara-Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge is part of the so-called “Buffer Zone of the Cajas Macizo Biosphere Area”, a large region of the Andean mountain range in southern Ecuador, recognized in 2013 by the United Nations Educational Organization. , Science and Culture (UNESCO). EFE