Ecuador already has its second connectivity corridor: Llanganates-Sangay

With the objective of protecting biodiversity, increasing resilience to climate change and creating positive economic alternatives for the population and nature, the Government of Ecuador declared the second Llanganates – Sangay Connectivity Corridor (CELS) as part of a conservation strategy led by by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (Maate), the Decentralized Autonomous Governments of Pastaza, Tungurahua and Morona Santiago, with the technical assistance of the World Wide Fund for Nature-WWF, the support of the Hempel Foundation Denmark and the Belgian Cooperation for the development.

The new corridor connects two protected areas: the Llanganates National Park and the Sangay National Park. It has an area of ​​92,148 hectares. It is located between the Andes mountain range and the Amazon basin, known as the Andean-Amazonian Piedmont, it is a strategic point of biological importance in the region with a high density of unique species and hydrographic basins.

The Otavalo Mojanda Water Protection Area was created to protect 35 water sources

For Gustavo Manrique, Minister of the Environment, “the conservation efforts of the National Government are consolidated in this important action. In this territory there are 285 species of mammals and reptiles, of which are not found in other parts of the world, also in recent months 40 new species incorporated into science have been described, since this corridor is a great living laboratory. The area offers everything they need to ensure their long-term survival, which in turn means healthy forests, ecosystems, and high biological diversity.”

For his part, Tarsicio Granizo, director of WWF in Ecuador, pointed out that “without the effort of research and joint collaboration, it would have been impossible to have the scientific and technical information and the sum of wills to generate this corridor. We celebrate the pertinent actions for its orderly and sustainable management, including permanently promoting economic alternatives that are positive for people and nature”.

CELS is a natural pass that connects the páramo with the jungle. This space of land, mountains, and rivers is home to countless birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, fish, flowers, and is home to emblematic species such as the mountain tapir, Andean bear, jaguar, and puma.

During 2022, at least three new species of frogs that were not known were described in this territory and more than 50 species of orchids unique in the world, in addition 651 species of birds were identified. For this reason, this corridor has been recognized as a Special Conservation Area.

“For us as citizens, this is an achievement that fills us with joy. In the year 2000 we started this initiative when we realized that we lived in a highly biodiverse area, that species needed to connect freely and safely around the Pastaza basin. This idea stole our hearts and that is why we have not neglected any effort, convinced that this day would come”, said Paul Malo Pozo, part of the Network of Friends of the Llanganates-Sangay Corridor.

With the declaration of a connectivity corridor, living, preserved, diverse, orderly territories capable of ensuring life, the well-being of people and ecosystems over time are consolidated. Its importance lies in the possibility that they have to contribute connectivity criteria to land use planning, the establishment of specific areas and management plans for conservation and productive activities in the area that contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.

The consolidation of this conservation strategy is due to an articulated and sustained participation process, since 2020, between this State portfolio and various actors in the territory, including provincial and municipal decentralized autonomous governments, universities, institutions, conservation organizations and public and private companies, communities and others who expressed their interest and support.

The organizations that have collaborated in this declaration are the Ecominga Foundation, Sumak Kawsay In Situ, Inabio, Ikiam, UEA, USFQ, Muyu Foundation, Pastaza Prefecture, Morona Prefecture, Tungurahua Prefecture, Kara Solar, Mera Mayor’s Office, Baños, Palora City Hall, Ombudsman’s Office, Finca Palmonte, Finca Chalwayaku, Bosque Protector Leito, Hacianda Gumag, Biopark, Madre Selva, Quinde Warmi, Tupak Katari, Amazon Fauna Foundation, Merazonia, Network of Friends of the Llanganates-Sangay Corridor , along with several inhabitants of the area.

On May 15, 2021, the creation of the first Sangay-Podocarpus Connectivity Corridor was made official. (YO)