World Water Day: Discover the forest that supplies water to the population of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios
There are 3,179 hectares of forest at kilometer 148 of the Madre de Dios-Cusco highway. This place is closely connected to the residents of Puerto Maldonado. The ecosystem is home to the headwaters of the Jayave River. This river supplies water to the La Pastora catchment point, which provides drinking water to the 78,996 people of Madre de Dios.
“The water that supplies us comes from this natural forest. It flows into the Inambari and Madre de Dios rivers and, after being processed, reaches your home. It is essential to protect the Señor de la Cumbre Local Forest”, says Jonatan Ovalle, Head of Environment at EMAPAT.
This forest makes it possible to bathe, wash food, stay hydrated, and keep homes clean every day. However, this forest faces threats that jeopardize the supply of drinking water, biodiversity, and other benefits such as climate regulation. Its protection is an environmental priority and a condition that guarantees the health, water security, and well-being of the current and future population of Puerto Maldonado.
© Vico Méndez / WWF-Perú
Who protects the forest from threats?
To protect the forest from threats, the local inhabitants of Inambari are responsible for implementing actions to keep this forest standing. They belong to the Señor de la Cumbre Local Forest Association.
- The residents are working with the authorities to obtain permits to carry out sustainable productive activities in the forest. For example, the extraction of medicinal plants. These actions serve as a barrier against threats.
- They clean up the riverbanks to keep the river clean.
- They monitor the forest to prevent threats.
"EMAPAT provides drinking water and sewerage to Madre de Dios. At the same time, it cares for the Señor de la Cumbre Local Forest. It supports activities such as fish farming, cocoa cultivation, and monitoring. The promotion of sustainable economic activities becomes a barrier against threats such as illegal mining. This is a way to ensure the quality and quantity of drinking water", adds Jonatan.
Other actors are joining forces to conserve the Señor de la Cumbre Local Forest through initiatives such as the Mechanisms for Compensation for Water Ecosystem Services (MERESEH). These include: the District Municipality of Inambari, the Tambopata Municipal Water and Sewerage Company (EPS EMAPAT S.A.), the National Superintendency of Sanitation Services (SUNASS), Amazon Conservation (ACCA), the Association for Research and Integral Development (AIDER), and WWF.
What can citizens do to conserve their water source?
Just like the residents of Inambari, households can contribute to the water sources that supply us. A small portion of the water bill goes toward water conservation. From that moment on, citizens are contributing.
In addition, we can all contribute to the responsible use of water through good practices such as:
- Turning off the tap while washing dishes or brushing your teeth.
- Taking short 5-minute showers. Don't leave the shower running while you soap up.
- Checking your pipes. Water leaks waste a lot of water.
- Collecting rainwater to water your plants, if you live in a rainy area.
- Not pouring oil down the drain, as it goes straight into the river and pollutes it. If your community recycles, it is better to take it to a collection center.
© Sevda Ercan iStockphoto Getty Images
Would you like to learn more ways to keep our planet healthy and alive?
We invite you to participate in Earth Hour activities on March 28.
Visit the activity closest to your community in the official agenda: https://bit.ly/3Nzzgbl
Earth Hour demonstrates that conservation is a shared decision. Through dialogue between different voices, the campaign highlights the collective and individual actions that strengthen citizen participation today. It inspires new generations and promotes forms of development that allow us to live in harmony with nature.
© Carlos Egocheaga / WWF-Perú
