[Abancay] close to becoming a Latin American Model Forest

On 18 August, 2021, Swiss Cooperation conducted the evaluation of a priority territory in the Apurímac region for it to be integrated into the Latin American Model Forest Network (RLABM). The Andean Forests Programme, an initiative promoted by SDC and implemented by Helvetas Peru, organised the virtual meeting entitled Abancay Model Forest Proposal. Switzerland has been working in this region for over 20 years to promote forest management and mountain forest conservation, and it is a key territory for promoting mechanisms for better governance and improving sustainable forest use practices with a landscape approach.

@Nicolás Villaume

“Apurímac is an important region for Swiss Cooperation. SDC has worked there for over 20 years with various interventions that promote governance and sustainable forest use. This experience has demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the various public, private and academic stakeholders to promote proposals such as the one presented today, for becoming a part of the Latin American Model Forest Network, and move towards South-South cooperation.” said Jocelyn Ostolaza, SDC Programme Officer at the beginning of her presentation.

Since the beginning of the programme, Apurímac has been considered one of the Andean Forests Learning Sites. SDC has held various activities geared to the sustainable management of its forests. They include the re-appraisal of ecosystem services; the protection and recovery of water sources for improving water and ecosystem services provision; the restoration of degraded Andean landscapes; capacity-strengthening for the community to have higher income; the improvement of environmental governance; and  research and knowledge  generation.

Roberto Kometter, Senior Specialist of the Andean Forests Programme, gave a brief overview of the development activities in the region since the 1980s, including the creation of the National Sanctuary of Ampay; the Apurímac environmental management policies promoted by projects involving Helvetas Peru; drafting environmental management plans and strategies; water planting and harvesting activities; reforestation and support for the Remuneration of Ecosystem Services Mechanisms (MERESE). These activities have consolidated consensus-building in the region.

“These sustainable development activities have been carried out through coordination between stakeholders and the strengthening of environmental governance. Their most conspicuous platform is the Apurímac Regional Environmental Commission. This panorama has been the foundation for proposing a Model Forest in Abancay, which will be an incentive for improving ecosystem conservation and promoting sustainable development in the Apurímac Region”, concluded Roberto.

@Nicolás Villaume

The Abancay Model Forest proposal covers an area connected to the Ampay National Sanctuary, the Pachachaca Canyon, the Choquequirao Archaeological Centre, the village of Kiuñalla and an observation point for bears and condors. It is an area with geographical, biological and cultural diversity and a centre of ancestral traditions, known particularly for the great forests of Polylepis and Intimpas, the Uncalla Forest, and for the birds and hummingbirds that live there. It is an area rich in biodiversity, and with efficient local governance it can achieve the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the Andean forests.

At the event, SDC and representatives of the International Model Forest Network and the Latin American Model Forest Network participated in presentations organised by the Apurimac regional government’s Environmental Management department, the CAR Apurimac, the NGO Cedes Apurimac, the SERNANP (National Sanctuary of Ampay), the Abancay SUNASS, and various local mayors. All these key actors lead processes for the sustainable management of landscapes, which converge in a process of territorial governance that dates back to 2014, when the Regional Environmental Commission of Apurímac was formalised, the main body for consultation in the territory.

 The Apurímac model forest will be formally evaluated at the next RLABM board meeting in December this year, after which the territory will become the fourth model forest in Peru and the 34th in the Latin American and Caribbean region. It is important to note that the local people in Abancay enjoyed the experience of coordinating with local actors in Abancay, and are highly motivated to be part of this important network in Latin America.

Current status

The Model Forest Network evaluation committee has reviewed the reports and applications coming from Abancay to the end of October 2021. After asking a few questions, it is convinced that very soon we will be launching the new Abancay Model Forest. In the hope of achieving this, the Apurimac community as a whole has been participating in meetings, answering questions, facilitating coordination and discussions, in order to have the model forest recognized soon.

It is no surprise that this year we will be celebrating not only Christmas and the New Year, but also the recognition of Abancay’s Andean forests, for the benefit of Apurimac, Peru and the mountain forests that provide so much to our Andean, Amazonian and coastal peoples. Let’s hope for more surprises soon.

For further information:
Brochure Andean Forests: Problems and characterisation  
FS Andean Forests Programme
Web Andean Forests Programme

Useful links
Watch the video of the event
(PDF Spanish) Executive Summary of the Apurímac Model Forest Dossier

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La Agencia Suiza para el Desarrollo y la Cooperación (COSUDE) es la entidad encargada de la cooperación internacional dentro del Departamento Federal de Asuntos Exteriores (DFAE). Con otras oficinas de la Confederación, la COSUDE es responsable de la coordinación general de la cooperación para el desarrollo y de la cooperación con los Países del Este, así como de los programas de ayuda humanitaria suizos.