Purchase predio Rocallosa - Mozul

Fundacion Vida Sylvestre is planning to buy a 250 hectare property consisting of paramo in various states of degradation. About 80 hectares are well conserved and provide a habitat for many species of plants and animals, like the Andean Condor, Spectacled Bear and the Puma. The remaining 170 hectares are showing severe degradation due to cattle grazing or is used for production of potatoes or fodder. Further threats are the draining of the wetlands and use of chemicals for potato production and the use of fire to create grazing grounds for cattle. The property is located on an altitude of between 3600 en 4100 adjacent to the Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados, Tolima district, Colombia. In addition to its function of providing a habitat for plants and animals, the property has an important hydrological function. The wetlands, lagunes and streams on the property provide a solid water reservoir for settlements on lower altitudes. The location of the property, in between the PNN Nevados (High Paramo - 5.000 m) and the Bosque de Canaan (Bosque Altoandino -2.600 m) makes it an important part of an ecological corridor between these two ecosystems. The purchase of this area has a strategic importance, because the property forms the only entrance for cattle to reach the higher paramo in the PNN Nevados. By purchasing this area, not only the 250 hectares of the property are protected but also 1500 hectares of paramo in the hinterland.

The project had two main objectives, the first one of which was to to realize the necesary actions for the signing and legalization of the plot. The second objective was to garantee the effective management of the area. The first objective was obtained, having bought and legalized the plot “Rocallosa – Mozul”. To obtain the second objective, a management plan was developed for the plot itself, and use plans were developed for three plots in the area of influence of “Rocallosa – Mozul”. As a result of of various actions taken during the implementation period this poject, 600 pieces of cattle were moved from the fragile ecosystems on and near the plot to lower, less fragile areas.