In Azuay they protect amphibians to guarantee the quality of water for agricultural irrigation

Tasks are carried out twice a year to ensure that aquatic species are not threatened by the implementation of irrigation systems or irrigation works in rural communities and cantons of Azuay. The actions are part of the activities of the Environmental Management Plan of the Provincial Decentralized Government of Azuay.

A kind of frog from the rural area of ​​Azuay. Some species are in danger of extinction.

With this, a balance of the ecosystems is sought, says Diego Alvarado, coordinator of the Environmental Management Directorate of the provincial estate.

Alvarado points out that amphibians are considered bioindicators of the good quality of the environment and maintain the balance of habitats. 

 “Frogs are related to bodies of water, if a good number of amphibians are registered, there is a good quality of water. Added to this is the genetic importance of the species as they are critically endangered animals,” adds the technician, after a tour of the Cerro Negro-Churuco irrigation system where they monitored amphibians and reptiles whose habitat is within of the area of ​​influence of this project.

There, the presence of amphibians was verified: Atelopus Jambato in danger of extinction, and two species of Pristimantis , as well as species of reptiles typical of the Andean areas.

In a complementary manner, educational campaigns are carried out with the community and users of the Irrigation System, to inform them about the importance of protecting these species.

The Cerro Negro – Churuco irrigation system has a 38-kilometer pipeline with an irrigable area of 500 hectares and benefits more than 5,000 people from the parishes of Cutchill, Ludo, San Sebastián and San Bartolomé in the Sígsig canton; and San Juan de Cid of the Gualaceo canton.