Three livestock ranches in San Luis de Palenque, Casanare, joined forces in 2016 to create the El Encanto de Guanapalo Natural Reserve (Colombia) seeking the protection of the ecosystem.
Hato Mata de Palma, Hato Altamira, and Hato Montana cover more than 9,000 hectares, working to preserve the natural wealth, tradition, and llanera culture in Casanare.
Casanare Project Sustainability
For the sustainability of the project, the owners are committed to traditional livestock farming, ecotourism, and carbon credits issued for conserving ecosystems.
This Orinoco region, historically used for livestock farming, has changed drastically in the last two decades, now seen with a productive focus on cultivation and livestock.
Ecosystem Protection
One of the goals of the ranches is to ensure the care of the ecosystem against agricultural transformations, such as tree felling and wetland plowing.
Three descendants of Gerardo Zambrano, the former owner of over 30,000 hectares in the area, joined forces to preserve their grandfather’s legacy and protect the culture and inherited ecosystem.
Biodiversity of the Orinoquía
The Colombian Orinoquía is one of the most biodiverse regions in the country, with approximately 1,043 bird species, 155 reptiles, 254 mammals, 663 fish, 191 amphibians, 5,411 plants, and over 680 types of insects.
The wetlands, with their low water table, make the llano savannah easily floodable, favoring wildlife.
Importance of Private Investment
Ensuring natural reserves from the public sector is complex and requires years of processes and funding. Hence, private investment and civil society reserves are essential for the conservation of ecosystems.
Ernesto Roa, environmental engineer and advisor at El Encanto de Guanapalo, assures that traditional livestock farming does not threaten ecosystem conservation, as it has a lower ecological impact compared to modern methods.
Traditional Livestock Farming and New Sources of Financing
In El Encanto de Guanapalo, traditional livestock farming continues to be a financing pillar of the project, with grazing processes that involve less impact on the land. However, profitability is lower compared to modern methods. Therefore, the project also seeks financing through ecotourism and carbon bonds.
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