The program of **economic compensation** for **environmental services** consists of a **financial contribution** aimed at **landowners** who **preserve these **ecosystems** in the province of **Córdoba**.
The provincial **Ministry of Environment and Circular Economy**, through the **Secretary of Sustainable Development**, has announced that fund transfers have already begun to **landowners** with **native forests** who are part of the Payment for **Environmental Services Program**.
The objective of this contribution is to strengthen the **preservation**, **restoration**, and **sustainable management** of **native forests**.
In this way, the value of the **environmental services** provided by these **ecosystems** is recognized, such as the regulation of **water resources**, carbon absorption, and **biodiversity conservation**.
## Payment for Environmental Services Program
The Payment for **Environmental Services Program** (PSA) provides an **economic incentive** to landowners with **native forests** in the province of **Córdoba**.
This payment, calculated per **hectare** per year, is intended for the implementation of **actions** and practices that strengthen **conservation** or enhance the **environmental services** provided by **native forests**.
This monetary **recognition** is funded by the [National Fund for the Enrichment and Conservation of Native Forests](https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ambiente/bosques/manejo-sostenible), established by National Law 26.331. It represents a fundamental strategy for the maintenance of **forest systems**, protection of **watersheds**, soil erosion prevention, carbon capture, and the preservation of **wildlife habitats**.
The total amount to be distributed amounts to **$535,597,600**, a sum that will be fully delivered to the **beneficiaries** who have complied with the required documentation.
Juan Carlos Scotto, Secretary of **Sustainable Development**, emphasized that the program “is implemented under the guidelines of the Strategic Plan for **Native Forests**, which gives it a comprehensive and long-term view.”
The secretary added: “It is not just an **economic incentive**, but a strategy that promotes **land** and **landscape planning**, strengthening rural roots, allowing those who live in the **forest** to stay and **preserve it**.”
A new **call for proposals** for the program will be launched shortly. All **producers** and **landowners** with **native forests** who submit **conservation projects** to the Implementing Authority using the Citizen Digital Platform (CIDI) Level 2 will be able to access the benefits.
## What is the distribution of conservation plans in the province?
Currently, this **program** encompasses **537 conservation plans** distributed in 18 departments, covering a total area of 348,667.47 hectares of the provincial **territory**.
In the current call for the program, the departments with the highest number of plans are **Cruz del Eje, Pocho, and San Alberto**.
This shows a significant **concentration** of initiatives in the northwestern province, a **key area** due to its extensive and continuous area of native forests and its strategic role in providing **environmental services**.
However, the existence of plans in departments such as **Río Cuarto, Río Primero,** or **Calamuchita** is particularly relevant, as in these **areas**, forests are less **extensive** and more **fragmented**.
In this context, the Director of Native Forests, **Sebastián Jara**, stated that each **conservation plan** “has a special value because it contributes to **sustaining** and recovering patches of forest that are crucial for **ecological connectivity** and the **preservation of biodiversity**, especially in areas where the **pressure** on these **ecosystems** is greater.”
He added: “Each of these plans involves **specific actions**, management schemes, and commitments that ensure the **sustainability** of the **ecosystems** and the continuity of the **environmental services** they provide.”
Thus, Payment for Environmental Services consolidates as a crucial **public policy** for the **conservation of native forests** and to ensure their durability as a **natural heritage** of our province.
