Bulletin 3: Andean glaciars today

glaciares andinos al día

ANDEAN GLACIARS

TODAY

Edition Nº 3

Second semester 2012

INFORMATIVE

BULLETIN

LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE During the second half of 2012, Agua Sustentable has continued its work in the areas of the Illimani and the Sajama National Park. Activities during this time had a major impact at the local, regional and national level.

In late August, the “Strategy for Adaptation to the Effects of Climate and Global Change in the Communities of the micro basin of the River Sajhuaya” was presented. This micro basin is located east of the City of Palca in Murillo Province, Department of La Paz, where Agua Sustentable works since some years.

The Strategy aims to strengthen and develop the adaptive capacities of the communities in this area, minimizing the current impacts and future climate risks. Moreover, in early September, the communities of the Sajama National Park organized the “Second International Meeting on Climate Change and the Retreat of Glaciers.

Proyects mentioned in this bulletin

Climate Change Adaptation in Andean Bolivian Communities that depend on Tropical Glaciers

Strengthening the Resilience Capacity to the Climate Risks and Trends in Indigenous Communities that are dependent on Tropical Glaciers in Bolivia

Strengthening Capacity and Developing Strategies of Adaptation to climate change phenomena in Communities of the Cordillera Real of the Central Andes of Bolivia

” The following Andean National Parks participated: Lauca in Chile, Villacota in Peru and Sajama in Bolivia.The objective was to establish a place to dialogue, proposing actions to face the impacts caused

by Global Warming, specifically in Glaciers. We hope you enjoy these pages. Hereunder the news.

Agua Sustentable

NEWS

Partner Institutions Partner institutions

Presentation of the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Micro basin of the Sajhuaya River The final document of the Strategy was presented at a ceremony held at the Japanese Sociocultural Centre in La Paz, which was attended by representatives of the communities of Illimani, Sajama National Park authorities, international cooperation and institutions working in the field, press and other interested people.

Besides strengthening the adaptive capacities of the community members in the area, the document serves as a tool in the process of planning and development of adaptation policies at the level of local, municipal and departmental governments.

The Strategy is the result of the project “Strengthening the Capacity and Developing Strategies to adapt to climate change phenomena in Communities of the Cordillera Real of the Central Andes of Bolivia”, which has been funded by IDRC and implemented from 2009 to 2011 by Agua Sustentable, the Research Institute for Agricultural and Natural Resources belonging to the University Faculty of Agriculture (IIAREN, for its abbreviation in Spanish)) and the Institute for Hydrology and Hydraulics (HHI) of the Major University of San Andrés. It has been supplemented by the project “Adaptation to Climate Change in Andean Bolivian Communities that depend on Tropical Glaciers” which is funded by NDF - NEFCO.

Para más información, visita For more information, please visit www.glaciares.org.bo

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glaciares andinos al día

II International Meeting on Climate Change in the Sajama National Park This event took place on 3 and 4 of September 2012 in the Sajama National Park.

It brought together Peruvian, Chilean and Bolivian authorities, public and private institutions and community members from the area. The objective was to find opportunities for dialogue that will lead to developing concrete actions against the impacts of climate change, particularly those related to receding glaciers.

The reflective work was separated into four thematic groups: Sustainable management of water resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ecotourism, and Food Security and Sovereignty. The result was five documents -one for each table and one general- focusing on the specific problems in those areas.

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Peru

and

Sajama

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The most important agreements were: the promotion of family, organic and traditional farming; establishment of cooperation links to promote food security and sovereignty; generation of guidelines for the development of sustainable tourism in the three National Parks (Lauca - Chile, Vilacota and advocacy for policies to conserve biodiversity, among others.

Bolivia),

Illimani: Landscape heritage of Bolivia In late September, the Senate approved a bill of law, presented in July 2012, which

declares the Illimani glacier as “Heritage and Natural Landscape of the Plurinational State of Bolivia “, involving measures to preserve it. According to a statement from the Senate, the bill passed unanimously and was sent to the Chamber of Deputies for treatment.

The bill has two articles and according to the second “the Ministry of Culture is responsible for the registration, documentation and issuance of the Certificate of Heritage and Natural Landscape of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the ‘Majestic Mountain Illimani’ “.

The Illimani is the highest peak in the Cordillera Real and one of the highest peaks in Bolivia; it reaches approximately 6,350 meters above sea level and has a length of 8 km.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND LESSONS LEARNED

Acknowledgement of joint working As part the presentation event of the Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change in the micro basin of the river Sajhuaya, Carlos Carafa, director of Sustainable Water The Importance of working highlighted Directly With The communities: “For me it is essential that this strategy has been built together; from the beginning of the work in the Illimani region, the connection has been with communities and leaders; They have been involved from diagnosis to treatment: that’s the guarantee that this instrument will be useful “

Carlos Carafa, Executive Director of Agua Sustentable

Benefiting the communities Likewise, in the

presentation event of the Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change, the direct beneficiaries of the work of Agua Sustentable, IIAREN and IHH expressed their appreciation for the work, which involved them and where the issues learned will help to adapt to climate change.

“In our community we have three irrigation canals that are very useful. Through Agua Sustentable we have improved the three of them, now we use water in a better way.”

Víctor Pabón, representative of the community of Cebollullo (Illimani)

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glaciares andinos al día

Facing climate change

The damage caused by climate change

Autoridades de Chile y Chilean and Peruvian authorities, who were present in this Meeting about Climate Change emphasized the efforts that have to be made in our countries in order to prevent that the retrieving glaciers affect dramatically to those who depend on them, furthermore, they highlighted the importance of auto-organization to minimalize the effects of global warming.

“This kind of meetings are very important to produce common agreements, in a coordinated way, in order to face climate change” René Scheneider, Chilean Consul in Bolivia “It is necessary that other communities may also benefit from similar initiatives (Meeting on Climate change)”

Gonzalo Rivera, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Peru in Bolivia

ACTIVITIES Wath was done:

Sajama area

Parque Nacional Sajama

Work done

The design of the “Interpretation Center for Environment &Climate” was carried out as a starting point, and with the support of the community. Its main function is to promote creative learning environment, seeking to reveal to the public the significance of cultural or historical heritage of the Sajama National Park.

It is intended to cover four basic functions: research, conservation, disclosure and valuation of natural resources that are exposed in the center.

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glaciares andinos al día

Air pump for extraction of water for irrigation

Sajama area

Work done

Community

Sajama

Hand pumps for water extraction

Sajama area

A wind powered pump for water is a pumping mechanism that works through a windmill. This work serves to increase the availability of water for the irrigation of the wetlands in the Sajama community, expanding its surface, while using wind power, which doesn’t cause any environmental impact.

Work done

Community

Caripe Lagunas

Collection and distribution of water for irrigation

Sajama area

18 wells have been perforated and then hand pumps were installed, permitting the use for drinking and as a source of irrigation water for wetlands.

Work done

Community

Papelpampa

A water catchment system from a watershed was designed and implemented. This work delivers water for irrigation of wetlands in the area of “machaje” (exclusive grazing area for male livestock and breeding control) so improving irrigation, the recovery and expansion of wetland areas.

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glaciares andinos al día Collection and distribution of drinking water

Sajama area

Work done

Community

Caripe

Establishment of a Monitoring Network for Micro Basins

Sajama area Community

Sajama

It is an intake of water whose source is a glacier shed, a system of water conduction though pipelines, ending at a tap. In addition to the provision of drinking water, the beneficiaries of this work have identified that the water can be utilized to irrigate new nursery gardens to be implemented in the community.

Work done The establishment of a Monitoring Network for Micro Basins was finalized. Since 2011 equipment was installed at different points, in order to increase the potential of the knowledge generation, to study the potential effects of climate change in Andean basins and mountain areas.

Climate Change Adaption Plan for the “Sajama National Park” Sajama area

Parque Nacional Sajama

Work done Se encuentra en proceso la construcción del Plan de Adaptación al Cambio Climático del “Parque Nacional Sajama” de manera participativa, con el fin de generar propuestas concretas que mejoren las condiciones de vida de los habitantes, con base en la adaptación al cambio climático

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glaciares andinos al dĂ­a Exchange of Experiences between ETC Andes (Peru) and Agua Sustentable (Bolivia)

Sajama area

Parque Nacional Sajama

Rainwater harvesting Illimani area

Work done

ETC Andes from Peru, Agua Sustentable from Bolivia and community members shared their experiences of building resilient livelihoods and adaptation to climate change, within similar conditions of reliance on high mountain glaciers of the Andes.

Work done

Community

Khapi

Construction of a water distribution system for irrigation

Illimani area

Thanks to the implementation of this pilot project, students and teachers of the Khapi School now have enough water and, especially, adequate sanitation.

Work done

Comunidad

La Granja

With the work, community members have more water, as well as a greater efficiency in irrigation work, and consequently they can expand their farmland.

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glaciares andinos al día

GRAPHICAL HISTORY

Photo: Pablo Ramos

In: Espacio Sociocultural “Jardín Japonés” - La Paz

Sajama National Park Authorities witnessed the delivery of the Strategy for Adaptation to the Effects of Climate and Global Change in the Communities of the Micro Basin of the Sajhuaya River, in the Illimani glacier area.

During the event, several Sajama National Park authorities could see the result of the hard work done by the institutions involved. Likewise as in the Illimani area, a Plan of Adaptation to Climate Change for the Sajama National Park is being developed in a participatory way with communities of this area.

“... That is what is lacking in our country, actions that help us adapt to climate change, which we are experiencing, especially in the mountain communities and Sajama we feel the intense heat and we are concerned”, said Daniel Villca, Tamani Lagunas community.

Agua Sustentable

La Paz: Calle Nataniel Aguirre N° 82 entre Calles 11D y 12 ( Irpavi ). Tel/Fax: +591 (2) 2151744 Cel: 70187111 lapaz@aguasustentable.org Cochabamba: Calle Irigoyen Nº 150, entre Juan de la Rosa y Yuracaré (zona Sarco). Tel/Fax: +591 (4) 4423162 cochabamba@aguasustentable.org Tupiza: Av.Tomás Frias N° 350 (Zona Plaza San Antonio) Tel/Fax: +591 (2) 6945338 tupiza@aguasustentable.org Elaborado por: Rodrigo Loredo Romero

Rosmery Huarayo Castillo

www.aguasustentable.org

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