{"id":28037,"date":"2026-03-08T21:33:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T02:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingles.profonanpe.org.pe\/?p=28037"},"modified":"2026-03-08T21:34:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T02:34:57","slug":"apurimac-strengthens-the-defense-of-its-water-ecosystems-and-biodiversity-with-the-creation-of-the-multisectoral-water-commission-and-progress-on-the-rontoccocha-rca-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingles.profonanpe.org.pe\/?p=28037","title":{"rendered":"Apur\u00edmac strengthens the defense of its water ecosystems and biodiversity with the creation of the Multisectoral Water Commission and progress on the Rontoccocha RCA proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Institute for Development and Environment (IDMA, Apur\u00edmac), with funding from the Conserva Aves Initiative, has been consolidating important milestones in the protection of water ecosystems and high Andean biodiversity in the Mari\u00f1o micro-basin, as part of the project \u201cProtection of ecosystems for the survival of threatened wild birds in the headwaters of the Mari\u00f1o micro-basin: Proposal for the creation of the Rontoccocha RCA.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During 2025, the project has made significant progress in land defense, scientific monitoring, and environmental awareness, strengthening local and regional governance around the future Rontoccocha Regional Conservation Area (RCA), which seeks to protect more than 42,000 hectares of ecosystems strategic for water and biodiversity in Apur\u00edmac.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Queu\u00f1a<\/p>\n

Queu\u00f1a forest and grasslands in the proposed Rontoccocha Regional Conservation Area \u00a9 AVargas<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Water protection and institutional coordination<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At the beginning of the year, the technical team of the Apur\u00edmac Regional Government identified more than 32 mining petitions within the scope of the RCA Rontoccocha proposal, which caused concern among local communities and the institutions involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In response to this, and thanks to the coordination of different consultation forums, the direct involvement of the regional vice-governor of Apur\u00edmac, Marisol Valer Miranda, was secured. She led the formation of the Multisectoral Commission for the Defense of Water Resources in the Apur\u00edmac Region through regional executive resolution No. 156-2025-GORE.APURIMAC\/GR. This commission, whose main objective is the integrated and sustainable management of water resources, is chaired by the Vice Governor and has a Technical Secretariat run by the Regional Office for Natural Resources and Environmental Management (GRRNGMA) and IDMA Apur\u00edmac. It has been coordinating actions between different sectors to ensure the efficient and equitable use of water, as well as its conservation and protection.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This multisectoral working group has been holding technical meetings and roundtable discussions to analyze procedural aspects related to mining petitions and concessions that overlap with the territory of the proposed Rontoccocha RCA. Strategic advocacy actions have also been carried out with national entities such as the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (INGEMMET), the Ministry of the Environment, the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP), and the National Water Authority (ANA), with the aim of exposing the challenges and risks involved in establishing this conservation area, which is essential for the protection of the high Andean ecosystems that guarantee water and life in the Mari\u00f1o basin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a result of this coordination and advocacy process, the Regional Government of Apur\u00edmac has formally requested the suspension of the processing of mining petitions before INGEMMET. In response to this request, INGEMMET has requested updated information from SERNANP on the status of the process of recognition of the Rontoccocha RCA proposal, within the framework of its established competencies.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis achievement represents a historic step for land management in Apur\u00edmac. The defense of water unites communities, institutions, and young people under a common cause: protecting the life and future of the region,\u201d<\/em> said Yerssey Caballero Palomino, Director of the IDMA Apur\u00edmac Program.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Formation<\/p>\n

Formation of the Multisectoral Commission for the Defense of Water Resources in the Apur\u00edmac Region \u00a9 IDMA<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Scientific monitoring and conservation of endangered birds<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In June 2025, the annual bird census was conducted within the scope of the Rontoccocha RCA proposal, recording the presence of four key conservation species:<\/span><\/p>\n