A Mapuche community of Patagoniathe Aigo community, has undertaken an important initiative of ecological recovery in collaboration with scientists and a state company. The objective is to restore a vast forest area which, due to a man-made fire in 2013, has over 1,200 hectares of land destroyed in the Lanín National Park, located in the province of Neuquén.
This forest, once rich in native species such as araucaria, lenga and nire, was fundamental for the subsistence of the community, which depended on natural resources to feed livestock, collect pine nuts and obtain firewood.
The recovery of the forest was addressed through an approach that combines the ancestral knowledge of the Mapuche community with modern scientific techniques. Over the years they have been undertaken various interventions to stop soil erosion and encourage the growth of new plants.
The first signs of recovery
They were built fences to prevent livestock from damaging the plantations and new trees were planted, including lengas, nires and araucarias, to re-establish the original ecosystem. INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology) contributed to the development of a plant growth monitoring protocol and to the evaluation of the effectiveness of restoration interventions.
As the years went by, the community saw the first signs of recovery: While some plants have regenerated naturally, others have been planted and protected to ensure a sustainable future. The integrated approach between the community, local authorities and scientists made it possible to find a balance between the need for ecological recovery and the community’s daily subsistence needs.
The recovery work was not without difficulty. Livestock management and land use were topics of discussion, as the community needed continue to exploit natural resources for his daily life. However, dialogue between scientists and community members led to solutions that satisfied both needs.
This restoration project demonstrates the importance of collaboration between traditional and modern knowledge to address ecological challenges and promote sustainability, not only for local communities but also for environmental protection.
