Protecting water sources in the cross -stories, is a premise that municipalities and communities have in the cross -stories. That is why They have signed the reciprocal agreements for water (ara) that transforms the protection of water sources and stopped it red front, in a collective commitment for biodiversity and well -being of communities.
The Natura Bolivia Foundation, through the ARA model, informed that it has managed to link water security with the conservation of the Red Front. In this way, The protection of water resources contributes directly to preserving forests that serve as a habitat to this endemic species.
Máximo García, coordinator of the Natura Bolivia Foundation Valleys, explained that the ARA model in the cross -stored valleys was born in response to two urgent problems: shortage and water pollution.
Therefore, The first step was to establish cooperation agreements, in which resources and responsibilities were committed to all parties involved. Thus the first water funds emerged, which eventually replicated in municipalities such as: Los Negros, Pampagrande and Quirusillas, until currently consolidating 29 funds in the Bolivian valleys.
A few days ago, another important step was taken with the creation of the Regional Fund of the Red Paraba. This effort brought together municipalities of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca and Santa Cruz to carry out conservation actions, through the elaboration of projects that benefit the rural communities where this endemic bird is nests and feeds.
In more than a decade of work, The initiative has expanded with the support of strategic partners, Among them Coca-Cola Foundation, through the ‘Replenish’ program, whose objective is to replace the water footprint in aquifers through the conservation of forests in Caberas de Cuenca.
Henry Bloomfield, deputy executive director of Fundación Natura Bolivia, commented that the project began in the Piraí River basin and extended to the Yungas de la Paz, the Cruceños and the Amazon valleys.
“To date, It has allowed to keep 66,594.02 hectares of forest and replace more than 4,698.72 million cubic meters of water ”he added.
Finally, Romina Villegas, implementation manager of Fundación Natura Bolivia explains that the ARA implemented thanks to the support of Coca Cola Foundation become a door for dialogue.
“First We approach families to solve a vital problem such as access to water And, from that connection, the way opens to talk about other issues such as species conservation, ”said Villegas.
