Ecuador Adds 2,459 Hectares of Amazon Rainforest to Water Protection Areas

Ecuador has added 2,459.39 hectares of Amazon territory to its national system of water protection areas. The land lies in Nueva Esperanza, in Napo province, and received official Water Protection Area status to conserve local water sources.

The Environment and Energy Ministry said the designation was developed with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization. The two institutions are carrying out a project focused on integrated and sustainable management of Amazon water resources as the region faces climate variability and climate change.

The new protection status will strengthen safeguards for the Misahuallí River’s water intake and preserve sources used for human consumption. The ministry said the measure will benefit 36,705 people. The Misahuallí and Calmitoyacu rivers were also declared Water Protection Zones, a designation intended to conserve their channels and associated ecosystems.

Deputy Water Minister Freddy Muñoz formally delivered the resolutions at an event in Archidona, Napo. National and local authorities attended, along with community representatives, landowners, water-management organizations and others involved in the protection process.

With the new area, Ecuador now has 43 Water Protection Areas nationwide. Together, they cover 414,692.53 hectares, equivalent to 1.66% of Ecuador’s territory. The Napo designation expands the land reserved for protecting the country’s water sources and resources.