The Critical Importance of Protecting Peru’s Forests
Peru is the third-largest country in South America and one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with an astonishing 20,585 species of wild flora and fauna. From changes in land use and climate change to deforestation and the impacts of mining and logging, these challenges threaten both the biodiversity and the communities that rely on Peru’s mountain and forest ecosystems.
Supporting projects like the Tambopata-Bahuaja initiative is more important than ever. These efforts help protect Peru’s natural environments, preserve wildlife, support indigenous communities, and boost the country’s resilience against climate change.
The Tambopata-Bahuaja Project
In Peru’s Madre de Dios region, close to the Bolivian border, the Tambopata-Bahuaja project focuses on protecting Tambopata National Reserve and part of Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. By establishing a 591,119-hectare buffer zone around the forest, the project prevents unplanned deforestation and safeguards a tropical rainforest habitat for an array of rare and endangered wildlife. By doing so, the project aims to avoid 457,750 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere each year.
Additionally, the project collaborates with local communities through conservation agreements, encourages sustainable farming, and boosts forest governance with community surveillance, ranger training, and checkpoint upgrades to ensure the forest’s protection.
A Future of Hope & Resiliance
Amid the global deforestation crisis, and its far-reaching effects, initiatives like the Tambopata-Bahuaja Project offer a glimmer of hope. By protecting Peru’s forests, preserving biodiversity, supporting local communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this project serves as a powerful model for conservation efforts across the globe.
Taking Action – How You Can Make an Impact
Want to learn more or get involved? Each month we’ll be sharing our sustainable project spotlight via our Info Hub and our socials. Discover more about how you can support forest conservation and make a difference for the environment by exploring our Ecologi dashboard here:
Here’s our Climate Action Calendar, illustrating our climate action efforts from the past, present, and future.
Source: Ecologi, Drawndown Org
