“Territory of Life” is an event of profound significance for environmental conservation and the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples, ten indigenous communities forming the Torna Lickana Network, located in the Salinas Grandes of Salta, have succeeded in having their ancestral territory officially registered as a “Territory of Life” (TICCA) on a prestigious global platform.
This recognition is not only an unprecedented milestone for Argentina but also strongly validates the essential role of these communities in the management, protection, and conservation of the vital high Andean wetlands.
## A “Territory of Life”: beyond geographical borders
On June 27, the TICCA Registry (Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) welcomed the first territory of Argentina: the sacred space where the communities of the Torna Lickana Network reside. Strategically located in the Salinas Grandes and Laguna de Guayatayoc basin, in the province of Salta, this recognition emphasizes the intrinsic connection between indigenous peoples and their environment.
A TICCA, or “Territory of Life,” is much more than a simple geographical demarcation. It represents a space where there is a close and deep connection between an indigenous people or local community and their environment, rooted in history, cultural identity, spirituality, and ways of life that ensure their well-being both material and immaterial.
It is precisely these communities who, through their ancestral governance and environmental management systems, contribute positively and significantly to the conservation of nature on a global scale.
These territories are distinguished by being autonomously managed by the communities, who act as ancient custodians of their lands, applying their own rules on the use and care of the territory, based on traditional knowledge and rooted governance practices.
The contribution of TICCA to nature conservation is invaluable, manifested through the preservation and sustainable use of unique ecosystems, habitats, species, and landscapes.
## The high Andean wetlands: heart of the Torna Lickana Territory of Life
Within the newly recognized Territory of Life of the Torna Lickana Network, a conglomerate of ten indigenous communities, are the high Andean wetlands.
These ecosystems, composed of salt flats, lagoons, meadows, and boggy areas, are not only crucial for ecological balance but also have multiple and profound contributions to indigenous communities.
They are considered sacred spaces, sources of livelihood, and guarantors of cultural continuity, with which these communities maintain deep, respectful, and rooted relationships with their identity from time immemorial.
These wetlands, in addition to their cultural value, harbor a unique and specialized biodiversity, being fundamental for the regulation of the water cycle in the arid region of the Puna.
They also play a key role in climate change adaptation, acting as natural buffers. Therefore, their conservation is not only necessary to ensure the territorial and cultural rights of the communities that inhabit and guard them, but also for their essential role in global ecological balance and in sustaining all forms of life thriving in this territory.
## The global impact of TICCA: visibility and an Argentine milestone
According to a global analysis published by the World Conservation Monitoring Center of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-WCMC) and the TICCA Consortium in the “Territories of Life” report, it is estimated that territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities cover over 20% of the Earth’s land surface, making fundamental contributions to global conservation networks. However, there is still a considerable lack of data on these vital spaces.
The TICCA Registry aims to document these territories precisely, and to date, it already has 313 reported cases worldwide. Surprisingly, none of them came from Argentina until now.
The recent inclusion of the territory of the Torna Lickana Network as a TICCA – Territory of Life – is not just an addition to a database; it marks a transcendental milestone in recognizing the territorial rights of indigenous peoples in Argentina.
Furthermore, it signifies an unprecedented visibility of their fundamental contributions to biodiversity conservation and comprehensive nature care.
It is, in turn, an exemplary experience that promotes the strengthening of their own forms of governance, based on respect, reciprocity, and a deep connection with the territories these communities inhabit and have sustained for generations.
## The Torna Lickana Network: “Our Land” and its strategic location
The Torna Lickana Network —whose name means “Our Land” in the ancestral language— is an alliance of indigenous communities belonging to the Atacama People.
It is composed of ten indigenous communities that, together, integrate this first Argentine TICCA: Casa Colorada, Cerro Negro, Cobres, Corralito, Esquina de Guardia, Incahuasi, Matancillas, Raíces Andinas, Rangel, and Tipan.
Geographically, this invaluable Territory of Life is located in the northern part of the Argentine Republic, specifically in the province of Salta, within the Altiplano region known as the Puna.
It encompasses the La Poma and Los Andes departments, constituting a vital part of the Salinas Grandes and Laguna de Guayatayoc basin, an extensive system that extends between the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, at an impressive altitude of over 3,500 meters above sea level.
## A methodical process: inclusion in the TICCA registry
The TICCA Registry is a global platform managed by the World Conservation Monitoring Center of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-WCMC) and governed by a steering committee that includes representatives from various internationally renowned organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, the TICCA Consortium, IUCN, Forest Peoples Programme, Kenono Foundation (Nagaland, India), Snowchange Cooperative (Finland), and Amazon Frontlines.
The inclusion of the territory of the Torna Lickana Network in this prestigious registry was the result of sustained community work process and notable collective articulation.
Beyond the international visibility that this achievement provides, the journey undertaken had tremendous internal value for the communities.
Since 2022, the indigenous communities that make up this Network held numerous meetings and exchanges to drive the initiative forward.
They gathered in participatory workshops where they collectively reflected on the deep meaning of the territory, its rich biodiversity, the historical memory that connects them to the land, their cultural identity, and crucially, on the threats—both historical and current—that endanger the continuity of all life forms coexisting in the TICCA.
The data required by the TICCA Registry was meticulously prepared by the Torna Lickana Network itself, with the invaluable support of the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN) and the financial support
