Puerta Amazónica: New Bolivian Protected Area Safeguards Critical Yungas Forests

Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the creation of the Puerta Amazónica municipal conservation area in Guanay, Bolivia. The protected area encompasses 105,392 acres (42,650 ha) of tropical Yungas forests, which is a habitat for several endangered species in Bolivia. The municipality of Guanay’s decision to establish Puerta Amazónica presents an opportunity to restore and protect critical ecosystems, uplift local communities, and safeguard freshwater sources.

Protecting Bolivia’s most Diverse Landscapes

Puerta Amazónica is largely composed of Bolivian Yungas forests, which are considered the most diverse landscapes in the country. Found along the eastern slope of the Andes, the Bolivian Yungas host an incredible composition of flora and fauna. The ecosystem’s climatic and altitudinal variations foster extensive microhabitats, creating the conditions for unique species to flourish.

The new protected area also extends the Madidi-Pilón-Lajas-Apolobamba-Cotapata biological corridor, which safeguards migration routes for species like Jaguars (Panthera onca) and South American tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). Puerta Amazónica also connects with the Dowara Kanda Tech Uyapï protected area, which like Puerta Amazónica is managed by Leco Indigenous communities, and the Mayaya de Teoponte protected area.

A Hub for Flora and Fauna

The biodiversity of Puerta Amazónica is matched by few places in the world. Researchers have discovered over 600 species of birds in the new protected area, nearly equal to the total number of bird species in all of California. In addition, reports indicate that the area hosts more than 45 amphibian, 34 reptile, and 32 mammal species. Of these species, several are considered vulnerable or endangered, including the Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), the Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), and the Giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus).

Mitigating Threats and Protecting Water Sources

In addition to their diversity, the Bolivian Yungas stand out for another reason: they are some of the most threatened ecosystems in the country. The Guanay region has historically been a gold mining hotspot, with the majority of its residents relying on this industry for their income. In recent years, agricultural expansion and forest fragmentation have further threatened the fragile habitats and water sources provided by these forests.

The establishment of Puerta Amazónica will help remedy these challenges in multiple ways. First, it will help safeguard the region’s forests and rivers from the encroachment of mining and agriculture. Second, investments through the municipal government and Natura Bolivia, the NGO that supported Puerta Amazónica’s creation, will assist local communities as they expand options for sustainable livelihoods. Finally, the conservation of freshwater sources flowing from Puerta Amazónica will support water security for the 26 communities within the protected area. The issue of water security is of particular importance for these local communities, and catalyzed the movement to create Puerta Amazónica.  

Acknowledgments

The creation of the Puerta Amazónica protected area was made possible through the collaboration of the Autonomous Municipal Government of Guanay, the advocacy of local and Indigenous communities led by Esmeralda Cuno Quispe, and technical support from the NGO Natura Bolivia. Andes Amazon Fund’s financial support for this project was generously provided by the Wyss Foundation and by Art into Acres in partnership with Re:wild.