Ecuador will establish an Amazonian Biocorridor, a management model aimed at implementing public policies to govern and sustainably manage the biodiversity and water resources of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
The President Guillermo Lasso signed Executive Decree No. 859, officially initiating the implementation of this initiative, which will benefit the provinces of Sucumbíos, Orellana, Napo, Pastaza, Morona Santiago, and Zamora Chinchipe.
“We remain committed to making our country an environmental conservation-focused nation. The establishment of this Biocorridor is part of a state policy that aligns with other measures we have taken, positioning Ecuador as an exemplary model for nature conservation,” stated the President during the project’s presentation at the Botanical Garden in the northern part of Quito.
The presidential decree instructs the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE) to design and oversee the operation of the Amazonian Biocorridor. Additionally, the ministry will establish a financial mechanism to generate economic resources for the local population.
With the signing of this decree, the Government of Ecuador takes another significant step towards leading the country’s ecological transition. The President emphasized that this initiative is groundbreaking as it integrates protected areas, climate change considerations, environmental and social sustainability, bioeconomy, and the enhancement of the quality of life for indigenous peoples in the Amazon.
This proposal has been made possible through the collaboration of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Amazon (Confenaie) and the assistance provided by The Nature Conservancy in crafting the proposal.
According to Confenaie’s vice president, Lolita Piguaje, the Amazon’s indigenous peoples are the guardians of the forest, its riches, and biodiversity. In the face of climate change, they, together with the state, MAATE, and allied organizations, are designing a just and equitable model for this region and its inhabitants
Areas Included in the Amazonian Biocorridor:
The Amazonian Biocorridor encompasses the geographical area of the Amazon basin, which includes the Napo, Pastaza, and Santiago rivers. The President explained that this initiative aims to include two million hectares of land, comprising both water and forest, into new conservation schemes, in addition to the existing 4.6 million hectares already under similar management that will be strengthened.
The preservation of biodiversity in the 18,000 kilometers of rivers and the species coexisting in this environment will also continue. President Guillermo Lasso stressed the importance of defending the indigenous territories, home to 11 nationalities and nearly 200,000 residents.
“It’s a region that is so rich and fragile that it is essential to protect ancestral knowledge, nature, fauna, and flora while simultaneously improving the living conditions of its residents through the promotion of the bioeconomy,” he stated.
Minister of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition, José Antonio Dávalos, underscored the vital role of the Amazon as it represents nearly 46% of the national territory. Hence, the Amazonian Biocorridor will also serve as a platform for the implementation of conservation programs by the ministry.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Gustavo Manrique, indicated that the Biocorridor would be the largest among the eight countries along the Amazon basin. Furthermore, it represents a global commitment to strengthening robust environmental multilateralism. “Our currency is biodiversity, and our wealth is based on conservation” he exclaimed.
Concluding the event, the President assured, “You can count on my commitment to continue strengthening policies aimed at preserving the planet for the benefit of present and future generations.”
