Earlier this year, we celebrated alongside our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA Bolivia in the creation of the Arroyo Guarichona Natural Area in July, which now protects 199,435 hectares (492,814.8 acres) of vital natural spaces with savannas, lowland forests, and high biodiversity in Beni, Bolivia.
Now, several months later, we’re celebrating again with the official establishment of a new conservation area in Bolivia’s Pando region: the Tahuamanu – Orthon Conservation Area! On September 5th, the municipality of Porvenir and the Governor of Pando, Regis Richter Alencar, enacted the Departmental Law No. 031/2024, creating 308,470.69 (76,2247.7 acres) hectares of protected forests. This area is key to preserving the region’s natural heritage and promoting sustainable development that benefits both the environment and local communities. The establishment of this area consists of 3 major long-term goals: to protect biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of natural resources, secure resources for future generations, and promote the health, food security, access to water, and well-being of all who depend on them.
Amidst the fires that are sweeping across the Amazon, the news of a new conservation area comes as an encouraging step towards mitigating the expansion of mining and the misuse of land, providing the region with an opportunity to safeguard its ecosystem and resources. The Pando region hosts unique biodiversity and natural resources, including valuable water supplies. Among these, the Tahuamanu and Orthon rivers are vital sources of life and support for many communities that rely on them directly for their economic sustenance. The creation of the Tahuamanu – Orthon Conservation Area also provides the chance to promote scientific research and Pando’s Amazonian identity.
This achievement was accomplished thanks to the active participation of local communities and municipalities of Porvenir, Filadelfia, Bolpebra, Bella Flor, Puerto Rico, Santa Rosa del Abuná, Villa Nueva, and Ingavi San Pedro, which guaranteed inclusive and committed management of the area. The creation of this new conservation area would also not have been possible without the generous contributions of the Andes Amazon Fund.
Thanks to the hard work of these local participants and Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA in Bolivia, our total number of acres protected has grown from 9.3 million to 10.5 million! We are incredibly grateful for all the hard work that was put into achieving this major milestone, and we look forward to striving for a sustainable path towards a thriving Amazon.