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Threats facing the reserve
The following human activities pose a threat
to the reserve:
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Improper Agriculture
One of the main activities carried out by the inhabitants of
the reserve, it can lead to soil degradation, erosion, deforestation,
and water pollution, among many others. |
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Cattle ranching
Another important activity carried out by local populations,
it is the cause of deforestation, alteration of the soil's
ability to regenerate, and the increase in disease among wild
animals.
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Selective wood harvesting
This activity carries the problem of altering the natural makeup
of the forest and reducing the amount of seeds produced. |
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Fossil fuel activities
The search for fossil fuels has become a national priority,
even inside protected areas. This leads to habitat alteration
and destruction in the areas where exploration and drilling
take place. In addition, fossil fuel activities are a cause
of soil and water contamination, posing a risk not only to the
flora and fauna of the reserve, but also to its human inhabitants
and the fresh water supply in the region. Finally, the presence
of oil workers and their machinery disrupts the natural cycles
of life in the reserve through noise pollution. |
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Illegal poaching and dynamite
fishing
These activities place in danger of extinction or extirpation
several animal species, such as the jaguar, and contribute to
the alteration and decay of the reserves ecosystems and its
natural balance. Dynamite fishing is particularly destructive
because it not only kills the target fish, but all life in the
river. |
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Future construction of dams
These works will alter the natural water systems and natural
ecological processes. In some areas there will be severe habitat
loss and an artificial barrier will obstruct the movement
of species in the Tariquía-Baritú
ecological corridor.
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All these activities impact the natural environment,
including conservation objectives within the reserve, in a negative way
and are an obstacle in the advancement of the goal sustainable environmental
development in the area.
Conservation activities
in the reserve
In order to confront the threats faced by the reserve,
creative answers and solutions have been developed by PROMETA as part
of a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy which it applies individually
to each protected area (public or private) in which it works.
In Tariquía Reserve the biodiversity conservation
strategy takes shape in the following programs:
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Compatible use program
This program trains and helps inhabitants of the reserve in
the use of natural resources without causing harm to the environment.
Currently, in coordination with municipal governments, technical
assistance and training are provided in apiculture, animal husbandry
and agriculture. With regard to commercial forestry pressures
on the reserve, forestry management plans have been developed
for the reserve's buffer zone. |
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Environmental education
program
This program, which runs in conjunction with the others, aims
to strengthen the abilities of teachers and students. |
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Vigilance and protection program
This program's aim is to reduce illegal harvesting of the
forests, poaching and dynamite fishing, one of the main threats
to the area. In the past five years the success of the program
has led to a 70% reduction in the illegal extraction of wood,
and an 80% reduction in illegal hunting and fishing.
To achieve these objectives in the most efficient manner five
camps, two ranger stations and a mobile house have been built.
To support in this work there are 15 park rangers trained
in vigilance and protection of the area.
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Research program
The focus of this program is on generating socioeconomic and
bio-ecological information on the reserve for the purpose of
designing management strategies in a spirit of cooperation with
the local population. The relationship between the reserve's
inhabitants and its biodiversity is also examined; their usage
ways, their forms of access and the value they place of natural
resources. |
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Networking program
Its objective is to articulate the activities of the reserve's
management plan with departmental and municipal development
plans in order to have the reserve included as a community priority,
and as such generate a culture of conservation. |
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To obtain more information on the reserve or to organize
tours, research projects, volunteer work or other activities please contact
PROMETA at:
Calle Alejandro del Carpio No. E-0659
Tarija, Bolivia
Tel/fax:
(591) 4 - 6645865
(591) 4 - 6633873
E-mail: prometa@olivo.tja.entelnet.bo
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