10%

Safeguarding the Putumayo-Iça River Basin

Preserving biodiversity, empowering nations, and cultivating unity

By IW:LEARN

March 27^th, 2024

The Amazon is home to some of the world's most valuable freshwater ecosystems and water resources. In resonance with the vibrant spirit of the Amazon, the Putumayo-Iça River, known as the "River of Fish" in the Murui language, holds an essential place as a significant tributary in this awe-inspiring region. Encompassing a vast 121,201 km² basin, representing 1.8% of the Amazon basin, it gracefully weaves through the Andes in Colombia, connecting Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil before contributing seamlessly to the majestic flow of the Amazon River in Brazil. Preserving this lifeline transcends regional efforts; it signifies a unified commitment to the intricate balance of ecosystems and the shared responsibility of nations united by the flow of the "River of Fish."

The Putumayo River, called Iça in Brazil, flows unimpeded for nearly 2000 km across the shared region, maintaining its natural status without dams or significant infrastructure. An astonishing array of biodiversity thrives within the basin, including over 380 fish species, 210 amphibian species, 230 reptile species, 1050 bird species, and 270 mammal species. Approximately 45% of the basin comprises indigenous territories, making it the ancestral home for various indigenous peoples.

Canoes line the shores of the Putumayo River near the town of San Antonio del Estrecho in Peru. Photo: Emilio Bermeo

The Putumayo-Iça Basin, a biodiversity hotspot, plays a pivotal role in climate change mitigation, delivering environmental benefits to indigenous peoples, local communities, and the entire region. However, challenges such as mercury use in mining and chemical pollutants from agriculture and the oil industry threaten its waters and soils, impacting human health and local species.

In response, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru have recognized the importance of preserving these natural resources and have taken decisive steps towards achieving this goal. They joined forces in a cutting-edge effort to preserve freshwater ecosystems and safeguard water resources in the frame of the Integrated Management of the Putumayo-Iça River Basin project. The project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Bank, aims to empower these nations in managing shared freshwater ecosystems in the Amazon's Putumayo-Iça Basin.

A traditional Maloka hosts the Youth Congress of FECONAFROPU (Federation of Native Border Communities of Putumayo) in San Antonio del Estrecho, Peru, during project presentation. Photo: Emilio Bermeo.

Safeguarding the Putumayo-Iça River Basin

Executed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development in Colombia, the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition Ministry in Ecuador, the Ministry of Environment in Peru, and the Secretariat of Environment in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, the project addresses critical challenges threatening the basin's environmental integrity and socio-economic dynamics. It is divided into two components: Component 1 focuses on strengthening governance and capacity for informed decision-making in integrated basin management. In contrast, Component 2 implements key interventions for integrated basin management in pilot sites.

Map of the project area. Source: GEF Putumayo Içá project.

The GEF Putumayo-Içá project adopts an integrated and sustainable natural resource management strategy, fostering collaboration among local communities, grassroots organizations, and national and regional authorities. Priority areas for the initial implementation include nature-based value chains, sustainable fishing management plans, and ancestral and traditional knowledge preservation.

In the coming weeks, institutional agreements enabling project implementation in Ecuador and Peru are expected to be signed, with Colombia and Brazil already on board.

About the project

The Integrated Management of the Putumayo-Iça River Basin project, abbreviated as the Putumayo-Iça Project, is a five-year initiative jointly led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Colombia, the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition Ministry in Ecuador, the Ministry of Environment in Peru, and the Secretariat of Environment in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Bank, it is regionally executed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The project's primary focus is promoting integrated natural resource management within the Putumayo-Iça River Basin. Financial support from GEF's International Waters and Chemicals and Waste focal areas underscores the project's commitment to comprehensive and sustainable international water resource management.

For more information on the GEF Integrated Management of the Putumayo-Içá River Basin Project, please contact Emilio Bermeo [ebermeodonoso@wcs.org], visit the project page on iwlearn.net or the project website.