6th MAJOR WORKSHOP OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES WITH BROAD PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL ACTORS AND AUTHORITIES FROM ALL THREE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

On October 15 and 16, the 6th Great Workshop of the Association of Management Committees of the Protected Areas of the Chaco, Chiquitanía, Pantanal and Southern Amazon (CGAPCHCHPA) was held in San José de Chiquitos, corresponding to the 2021 Management, which has as its priority to strengthen the management in each of the protected areas that are members of the Association in the Department of Santa Cruz.

This event constitutes a space for affirming attitudes and commitments in favor of conservation and promoting continuity in the process of strengthening the Association; and it is an opportunity to learn about and report on progress, reach consensus, and propose lines of action for future influence in the work with the Management Committees of the Protected Areas, based on the priorities identified and taking into account the dynamics and reality of the current context in the Plurinational State.

The event was attended by representatives of protected area management committees from all three levels of government, councilors, national, departmental and municipal authorities, territorial representatives of indigenous peoples and NGOs working on conservation issues with protected areas, such as the FCBC and the Savia Association within the framework of the ECCOS (EU), “Green Livelihoods Alliance” (IUCN-NL) and ICCA CONSORTIUM programs.

During the Grand Workshop, the objectives, progress, pending issues and results of the Association of Committees were presented, and the Savia Association presented the ICCAs (Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) promoted in coordination with the United Nations Program (UNDP), and the Operation Jaguar Project, executed in Bolivia by the Savia Association with the Dutch Committee of the IUCN NL, was presented.

In addition, the ABT (Forest and Land Authority) was present and presented a Technical Analysis of Forest Fires in Santa Cruz, a topic also addressed by the FCBC and the Protection Chiefs of the Otuquis, San Matías, Kaa-Iya, and Tucabaca protected areas. A special presentation was also given by the Environmental Educators of the Puerto Quijarro Wetlands.

On the other hand, it was an opportunity for a moment of silence for Mr. José Luís Tomichá (+) and an Honorary Certificate of Recognition was given to his family for representing the PNHA Santa Cruz La Vieja, remembering and valuing his commitment and work in defense of the protected areas through the Association of Management Committees.

NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED DURING THE EVENT

President: Fredy Galo Rivero Antelo – PNHA SANTA CRUZ LA VIEJA, Vice President: Zoila Zeballos Roca – UCPN TUCABACA, Secretary: Vicente Parabá – ANMI SAN MATIAS, General Coordinator: Benito Aguilar – PN ANMI KAA IYA DEL GRAN CHACO, Member 1: Cristian Méndez – APM LAGUNA MARFIL, Member 2: Pedro Languidey – APM SAN RAFAEL, Member 3: Mayda Peña – APM BAJO PARAGUA, Member 4: Aurelio Vaca – PN NOEL KEMF MERCADO, Member 5: Rosangela Mendez – ANMI SAN MATIAS, Member 6: RICHAR MENDEZ – PN ANMI OTUQUIS.

BACKGROUND OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

The Association of Management Committees of Protected Areas of the Chaco, Chiquitanía, Pantanal and Southern Amazon (CGAPCHCHPA), was created in November 2013; relaunched and restructured in November 2017 (SAVIA Association/GLA Project and subsequently supported by the ECCOS/EU Program).

The Association's objective is the participatory organizational strengthening of environmental governance platforms, the exchange of shared experiences among the Management Committees of Protected Areas and Natural Heritage Conservation Units of Santa Cruz, to inform ourselves, communicate, coordinate activities, promote the participation of decision-making actors, and receive opinions and suggestions in favor of the conservation of the environment and protected areas.

Currently, the Association brings together the members of the Management Committees of 12 protected areas in the Department of Santa Cruz, which are divided into 4 national protected areas, 1 departmental protected area, 1 protected area of the Guaraní Indigenous Autonomous Government and 6 municipal protected areas: OTUQUIS NATIONAL PARK (PN) INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AREA (ANMI), SAN MATIAS INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT NATURAL AREA (ANMI), KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK (PN) INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AREA (ANMI), NOEL KEMPF MERCADO NATIONAL PARK (PN), RIO BLANCO Y NEGRO CONSERVATION UNIT, SANTA CRUZ LA VIEJA HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL NATIONAL PARK, LAGUNA MARFIL INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT NATURAL AREA (ANMI), SAN MUNICIPAL RESERVE RAFAEL, TUCABACA WILDLIFE RESERVE, LAGUNA CONCEPCION CONSERVATION UNIT, BAJO PARAGUA MUNICIPAL PROTECTED AREA and the ÑEMBIGUASU GUARANI NATION CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE AREA.

Source: Association of Management Committees of Protected Areas of the Chiquitanía, Chaco, Amazon and Pantanal