Initiative to plant millions of 'rattan trees' in the Andes

Growing at 5,000 meters above sea level, polylepis is the highest living plant in the world , possessing the ability to absorb and retain water from clouds and melting ice and slowly release it through the spongy moss covering the tree, thereby providing water to streams and the upper Amazon River.

Polylepis once covered large areas. But after hundreds of years of deforestation and infrastructure development, the area now covers only 500,000 hectares (equivalent to 1-10% of the original area), causing the native ecosystem to degrade, and polylepis to lose its role as a natural barrier against flooding or erosion. The water security of millions of people living in the foothills of the Andes is also threatened.

With indigenous Quechua grandparents, biologist Constantino Aucca Chutas from Peru feels compelled to protect his ancestral lands and the people who live there.

'I grew up near rivers, and I loved seeing the majestic creatures and nature. I thought to myself, it would be great to be able to pass it all on to the next generation ,' Chutas told CNN.

In 2018, he co-founded Accíon Andina, a joint initiative between the two non-profit organizations Global Forest Generation (USA) and Asociacíon Ecosistemas Andinos (Peru) to restore forests in the highlands as well as protect local communities dependent on the forest . The work started in Peru and then expanded to Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia with the ultimate goal of restoring 1 million hectares of Andean forest by 2045.

Accíon Andina has so far planted more than 10 million trees thanks to the help of thousands of indigenous families. According to Mr Chutas: 'The first time we united along the Andes was when we were part of the Inca Empire. The second time we united to fight for independence. The third time we united was for polylepis'.

Biologist Constantino Aucca Chutas - (Photo: CNN).

Pachamama

The Inca civilization that dominated the Andes during the 15th and 16th centuries AD worshipped Pachamama, or 'Mother Earth'. Respect for nature was deeply ingrained in indigenous culture, so vultures, jaguars and snakes became representatives of heaven, Earth and the world of the dead in local beliefs.

'In Inca culture, they respected rivers, mountains and the environment. They managed nature, lived in balance with nature. This is what we need to learn and practice,' said Mr. Chutas .

People also believed in the idea of ​​Ayni and Minka – working together for the common good. Chutas was determined to revive this idea to help save the forests on the plateau, so he turned to the Quechua community for help.

Every year in the valleys around Cusco, Accíon Andina, a tree-planting festival called Queunã Raymi is held. The event begins with an ancestral ceremony (dancing and music) to honor Pachamama. Then people of all ages, dressed in traditional costumes, carry the polylepis up the mountain.

In return for the help, Accíon Andina provided medical assistance, installed solar panels in several villages, secured legal land rights, and established protected forest areas where exploitation of resources was prohibited.

Quechua community goes to the mountains to plant trees - (Photo: CNN).

Working together

The initiative is seen as a model of community-based conservation efforts and in 2022 received the Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations.

According to Elizabeth Mrema, deputy director of the UN Environment Programme: ' This community-led reforestation is an example of how people and communities can work together to protect nature, create jobs and strengthen global conservation efforts. The natural benefits of polylepis forests are enormous. They prevent soil erosion, retain moisture and rainwater, and lichens, mosses and a host of other plants play a vital role in water security '.