Zal Chala San Martín
Zal Chala Conservation Concession: Preserving the Amazon’s Hidden Treasures
The Zal Chala Conservation Concession spans 56,424 hectares in Peru’s San Martín region, serving as a critical ecological corridor in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Managed by True Forest, this vibrant biodiversity reserve is a beacon of hope for sustainable development, community empowerment, and environmental preservation.
This project not only protects nature but also transforms lives. Local communities benefit from sustainable livelihoods, education, and infrastructure improvements while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
Why Zal Chala Matters
The Amazon is Earth’s largest tropical forest, a sanctuary for millions of species, and a key ally in combating climate change. Within the Amazon, the cloud forests of the Low Andes are among the most important and vulnerable ecosystems. They act as natural «water towers,» capturing moisture from clouds and feeding rivers that sustain life across vast regions of the Amazon basin. However, they are increasingly threatened by deforestation, climate change, and habitat fragmentation.
Preliminary studies of the Zal Chala Concession have identified 62 bird species, 11 mammal species, and a variety of plant species. These findings are based on a small sample size, and the concession likely harbors biodiversity levels comparable to those of Rio Abiseo National Park, given its similar ecological conditions and proximity. Rio Abiseo National Park is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, including over 500 bird species and 200 mammal species, making it one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Protecting Zal Chala is essential to ensure the survival of these interconnected ecosystems.
The Zal Chala Concession’s dual focus on conservation and sustainable development offers:
- Ecological Preservation: Safeguarding one of the Amazon’s most biodiverse regions, including its vital cloud forests.
- Community Empowerment: Promoting sustainable livelihoods such as ecotourism, beekeeping, and agroforestry.
- Climate Action: Serving as a global model for carbon storage and mitigation while protecting the hydrological balance of the Amazon basin.
By working hand-in-hand with Rio Abiseo National Park, ACR Boshumi, and local communities, True Forest integrates scientific research, traditional knowledge, and innovative practices to achieve sustainable conservation goals.
Collaborative Approach
True Forest’s Leadership
True Forest envisions Zal Chala as a global model for conservation, leveraging:
- Community-centered strategies to promote local ownership of conservation initiatives.
- Partnerships with stakeholders like Rio Abiseo National Park for biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, and research.
- Sustainable practices that balance environmental preservation with socio-economic progress.
Rio Abiseo National Park’s Contribution
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rio Abiseo National Park brings unparalleled expertise in biodiversity management. Its involvement in the Zal Chala project includes:
- Species Monitoring: Joint efforts to catalog and protect species through advanced technologies like camera traps and drone mapping.
- Ecological Corridors: Strengthening connectivity between protected areas to ensure the movement and survival of wildlife, especially in the fragile cloud forests.
- Knowledge Sharing: Collaborating on scientific research and integrating findings into actionable conservation strategies.
ACR Boshumi’s Role
ACR Boshumi supports on-the-ground operations, including ranger training and community engagement, ensuring that conservation aligns with local needs and capacities.
Key Project Features
- Restoration: Restore 150 hectares of degraded forest within the concession boundaries using native species.
- Nursery: Establish a seedling nursery with an annual capacity of 60,000 plants.
- Community Empowerment: Train 40 farmers in sustainable agroforestry and 15 youth as conservation champions.
- Eco-Livelihoods: Develop 30 eco-friendly honey production apiaries and promote crops like cacao and Mauritia flexuosa.
Biodiversity Highlights
- Flora and Fauna: The cloud forests within Zal Chala harbor over 62 bird species, 11 mammal species, and numerous endemic plants, many of which are yet to be fully cataloged through ongoing research.
- Key Habitats: Carbon-sequestering peatlands and Mauritia flexuosa ecosystems, alongside the cloud forests, support keystone species like macaws, tapirs, and jaguars while regulating water and climate systems.
Engage and Contribute
True Forest invites stakeholders, individuals, and organizations to join in safeguarding this unique treasure of the Amazon. Contributions—whether through financial support, partnerships, or advocacy—strengthen conservation efforts and uplift local communities.
Together, with the collaboration of Rio Abiseo National Park and other partners, the Zal Chala Conservation Concession will thrive as a sanctuary for nature and a legacy for future generations.
OUR PARTNERS
