In recent days, the Map of Protected Areas of the Greater North of Argentina was presented, highlighting that Tucumán has 14 protected areas covering 428,300 hectares under conservation, which represents 19% of its total area. This effort is part of the global initiative 30×30, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030.
The map was developed by ProYungas Foundation, in collaboration with Conicet, and with the contribution of provincial and national administrations of National Parks (APN). This technical tool aims to facilitate strategic decision-making in environmental management.
The official launch took place on December 10 at the Casa de Jujuy, in Buenos Aires, during an event organized by ProYungas Foundation and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Jujuy, as part of the Impacto Verde project funded by the European Union. This event brought together provincial authorities from the Greater North, representatives of international entities such as the Embassy of France and the European Union in Argentina, as well as environmental and funding organizations.
The Greater North of Argentina, which covers almost 85 million hectares (30% of the national territory), is the most diverse region in the country, hosting 11 out of the 18 Argentine ecoregions and two-thirds of its biodiversity. Its ecosystems include subtropical forests, dry forests, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands, and high Andean areas, ranging from sea level to 6,000 meters in the Andes.
Tucumán and conservation hectares
Currently, this region of the Greater North of Argentina has 181 protected areas conserving around 14 million hectares (17% of its area). In fact, 14% of these areas are under the management of National Parks, while the rest depend on provincial or private management.
Moreover, in the case of Tucumán, 19% of its area is under some form of conservation, with protected areas including national parks and provincial reserves, as well as internationally designated sites such as Ramsar sites, biosphere reserves, and World Heritage sites.
In this regard, the Impacto Verde project aims to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable production, and mitigation actions against climate change in the Greater North. The Map of Protected Areas is a key outcome within a regional strategy to prioritize nature preservation, foster public-private partnerships, and enhance conservation opportunities.
What are protected areas and what is their function?
Protected areas are land or marine spaces dedicated to nature conservation and biodiversity preservation. Their function is to preserve the environment, halt its degradation, and ensure long-term conservation of nature and its cultural values.
Protected areas have various functions, including:
- Biodiversity conservation: They harbor endangered flora and fauna.
- Water supply: They serve as reservoirs of drinking water for nearby populations.
- Climate change mitigation: They reduce the frequency of extreme weather events.
- Economic development: They promote local economies and generate employment.
- Scientific and educational value: They offer opportunities for research and education.
- Recreational spaces: They provide leisure and outdoor enjoyment areas.
To contribute to the protection of protected areas, there are several recommendations that can be implemented such as avoiding starting fires, respecting designated trails, not feeding the local wildlife, and getting informed about the details of the park or nature reserve.
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