A protocol to monitor the impact of water source protection is proposed
On September 10, 11 and 12, the workshop “Toward an Effective Assessment of the Impact of Mechanisms to Pay for Ecosystemic Services (MRSE) in Mountain Ecosystems” took place in Apurímac, and it seeks to raise awareness on the importance of the impact of MRSE on the sanitation sector, and to share the different monitoring experiences worldwide.
The workshop “Toward an Effective Assessment of the Impact of Mechanisms to Pay for Eco-systemic Services (MRSE) in Mountain Ecosystems (MRSE)”, organized by the National Superintendency of Sanitation Services (SUNASS), finished after three days of training aimed at strengthening the MRSE which are being implemented by the Sanitation Service Companies (EPS).
SUNASS’ Macrorregional Coordinator, Luis Acosta Sullcahuamán, stressed the importance of the conservation of water sources from where the EPS can obtain the water resources. He indicated that MRSE help finance projects for basin protection. “In Abancay, for example, there is a Driving Group where the EPS Emusap, the NGOs, the local government, the communities and SUNASS work together in order to contribute to the recovery of the Marino micro-basin ecosystems”, added Acosta.
The workshop had national and international lecturers with experience on the generation of information about hydrological ecosystem services. It also considered a field visit to the Lake of Rontoccocha to gain exposure to a monitoring experience and assess conservation and restoration actions for the benefit of EPS Emusap Abancay’s users.
“The Water Route”The workshop was addressed at environmental managers from 13 decentralized SUNASS’ offices and to collaborators from their own service companies (EPS) from Apurímac, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, Junín, Ica, Pasco, Moquegua, Tacna, La libertad, Huaraz and Chimbote (Ancash). These places have Andean areas and show progress in the implementation of MRSE. Attendees have the opportunity to make field visits to the “Water Route”. They visited the Lake of Rotoccocha, which supplies drinking water to about 30% of the Abancay population, and where preservation measures have been identified (protection of wetlands, management of pastures, forestation and reforestation with native species).
Through MRSE, the Rontoccocha basin will be intangible, and protection systems will be implemented to improve water production and ecosystem conservation. The actions to be implemented are aimed at helping EPS Emusap Abancay ensure water supply to the people from Abancay.
The event was promoted by the National Superintendency of Sanitation Services (SUNASS), in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Canada, FOREST TRENDS, Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA), Ecodecisión Investment in Nature, Imperial College London, the Peruvian Water Forum, the Consortium for Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN), and the Swiss Cooperation COSUDE through its Andean Forest Program, facilitated by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation which provided technical assistance for the methodological part of the workshop.
About Bosques Andinos (Andean Forests)Bosques Andinos is being implemented in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Argentina and Chile with public and private strategic partners and allies in each of these countries, and it is part of the Global Climate Change and Environmental Program of the Swiss Cooperation COSUDE. Furthermore, it combines specialized knowledge, practical relevance, and the establishment of regional and international guidelines. It shares the current and successful experiences of specialized stakeholders in the international scenario in terms of forests and climate change.
The PBA, thematically and strategically, considers that priority should be given to promoting the agenda linked to the design and implementation of mechanisms for the payment of hydrological services, the valuation of key ecosystems for the provision of resources and hydrological services, as well as the promotion of good practices and instruments that promote these schemes.
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Useful links:
Andean Forests, Project Sheet, Swiss Embassy, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation COSUDE
Web Andean Forest Program
