The first private nature reserve (ACP) in the province of Alto Amazonas

Through Resolución N.° 380-2016-MINAM of 9 December 2016, the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment officially designated an approximately 9.3-hectare forest parcel at kilometre 6.5 on the Yurimaguas–Tarapoto road as a Private Conservation Area (Área de Conservación Privada, ACP).

Completing the entire administrative process for this designation with the Ministry and other government bodies in only ten months is a notable achievement.

The largely intact primary rainforest on the parcel now enjoys state protection. As owner, Liri Seopa Ruíz has committed to permanently forgoing agricultural activities and construction on the land; the area may be used solely for educational purposes and for reforestation with native tree and plant species.

The ACP “Chakra Educativa” will become a core component of the environmental-education programme at the “Escuela Modelo en la Amazonía” and will also be available to other public elementary schools in Yurimaguas.

To develop the initiative’s framework and detailed programme, the “Amigos de la Naturaleza” group has been formed, comprising parents, teachers, local environmentalists, and other interested community members.

One of the first steps was to clear the Quebrada Yanayaquillo watercourse to restore its natural flow. At the same time, a simple bridge was built over the stream, and several paths were laid out across the site. Signs highlight key rules of conduct and identify different tree and plant species.

To date, fifth- and sixth-grade pupils at the “Escuela Modelo en la Amazonía,” working with their teachers, have planted more than 400 native trees.