Shy among the rocks and rubble a cactus makes its way defying the harshness of the landscape with its small pink flowers. A few meters away, the huge mountains offer their skirts to form a vast cradle of approximately 900 meters deep.

It is precisely in this lap where the Andean Condor(Vultur gryphus) has found a safe breeding site. This is the Peña Rajada Canyon, an imposing geological formation of singular scenic beauty. Here the vegetation has adapted to long periods of drought and the strong winds last all year round.

The area is located in the municipality of Yunchará in the department of Tarija at an altitude of 3,570 meters above sea level, has a length of 25 kilometers and occupies the municipal districts of: Tojo, Yunchará and Quebrada Honda.

At the foot of the majestic mountains stands the community of Quebradillas, which, accompanied by the whistling of the wind, is dedicated mainly to the grazing of sheep and camelids.

Thus, it is not uncommon to observe troops of vicuñas(Vicugna vicugna) grazing in the silent natural grazing fields and drinking from the crystalline waters that come from the plains of part of the Sama Reserve (Copacabana District), whose final outlet is the San Juan del Oro River.

In this lush landscape the Andean Condor has found a natural defense against threats related to the collection of eggs, chicks and predation by carnivores. But in addition to condors and vicuñas, the area has verified the existence of pumas and fossil deposits, especially in the district of Quebrada Honda.

Potentialities

Environmental Protection Tarija (Prometa) identified -beyond the cradle of the condor- four potentialities in Peña Rajada and Quebrada Honda. The first of these lies in its potential for fossiliferous deposits, which are suitable for scientific, geological and paleontological research.

The second focuses on the possibility of geological, paleontological, landscape and photographic tourism activities. The third lies in the possibility of implementing community museums, promoting the creation of a circuit for visitors to learn about the natural wealth, paleontology and craftsmanship of the area.

Finally, the area is an important sighting site for vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna), a species that has been displaced from the Sama Reserve by the construction of the Iscayachi-Copacabana road.

To promote all these potentialities, but above all to protect the condor and allow its safe reproduction, Prometa has proposed the creation of the Peña Rajada Condor Sanctuary. Tarija's project has been a finalist at the national level in a competitive fund.

Tarija takes flight

The project was presented to Piensa Verde, a multi-sectoral platform that seeks to articulate and channel economic support for the conservation of forests, species and protected areas in Bolivia. In this context, it invited organizations with extensive experience and trajectory in the country to apply to the Call for Competitive Funds.

Tarija's project, created by Prometa, is among the 4 finalists and must now face a public voting phase. Only your support is needed for Tarija to win and consolidate the Peña Rajada Condor Sanctuary.

Enter this link: http: //bit.ly/3OFXSKu scroll down to the voting box and vote for the project: Prometa-Santuario de Cóndores de Peña Rajada.

Report written by: Danitza Pamela Montaño T. Photos: Mateo A. Tapia, Roberto Ruiz and Santiago Zegada