The Peluffo neighborhood, the green lung of Villa Luzuriaga, was declared a Protected Ecological Area by the Deliberative Council of La Matanza. The measure safeguards one of the most important spaces in the district and recognizes the sustained work of the residents and the Peluffo Verde Civil Association, who for almost two decades defended the place against the advance of urbanization.
The ordinance covers the area bounded by Provincial Route No. 4 (Camino de Cintura) and the streets Colonia, Venezuela, and Triunvirato, consolidating a historic step in the preservation of the last large green spaces in the locality.
Characteristics of the Peluffo neighborhood
- More than 50 hectares of green areas with abundant forestation.
- Large wooded areas and streets with vegetation that regulate temperature.
- Refuge for 38 species of native birds, making it a key site for urban biodiversity.
- Essential environmental functions: rainwater absorption, reduction of flooding, carbon dioxide capture, and oxygen supply.
Guidelines of the ordinance
The regulation establishes:
- Protection and recovery of natural resources.
- Environmental education actions for the community.
- Prevention of pollution sources.
- Consolidation of a development model that combines urban growth with environmental care.
Importance of protected areas
Protected ecological areas fulfill vital functions in Buenos Aires and throughout the country:
- Protection of ecoregions: they safeguard pampas grasslands, espinal forests, and delta jungles, habitats for species such as the marsh deer and the pampas deer.
- Environmental services: they act as “sponges” that absorb rainwater, protect water basins, and store carbon, mitigating climate change.
- Social well-being: they offer spaces for exercise, nature tourism, and environmental education, as well as generating local employment.
Notable examples include the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park, which protects this endangered deer and its wetlands, and the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, home to more than 300 species of birds.
A replicable model
The decision of La Matanza opens the door for other neighborhoods to promote similar projects. In a context of accelerated urbanization, the protection of green spaces becomes essential to ensure quality of life, clean air, and refuge for biodiversity.
The declaration of the Peluffo neighborhood as a Protected Ecological Area is a community triumph and an example of how citizen participation can transform environmental management.
This recognition not only preserves a vital green lung for Villa Luzuriaga but also strengthens the network of protected areas in Buenos Aires, essential to face climate change and ensure the well-being of future generations.
