The Minister of the Environment, Maisa Rojasannounced the declaration of the Wetland System Hornopirenin the Los Lagos Region, to protect an aquatic ecosystem highly valued by the local community and the fifth largest protected nationally, with 546 hectares.
«In the midst of the triple crisis of climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution, Protecting Chile’s wetlands is a priority for our Government,» said Rojas at a press point during his visit to the place, which coincided with the World Wetlands Day which was commemorated this Friday, February 2.
Composed of the Cuchildeo rivers, White and Blackthe Hornopirén Wetland System is located partially within the urban limit of Hualaihué and borders the Hornopirén National Park Protected Area. It is home to bird and fauna species such as the Chilean Flamingo, the Humboldt Penguin, the Magellanic Penguin or the Black-necked Swan.among others, and constitutes a green public space for the community.
«Hualaihué becomes the first commune in the province of Palena to have a declared urban wetland, so it is a long-awaited milestone for everyone,» said, for her part, the mayor of the commune, Cristina Espinoza.
Since the Urban Wetlands Law came into effect in 2020, In Chile, more than 100 aquatic ecosystems have been declaredof which 25 correspond to the Los Lagos Region.
In Los Lagos we also celebrate the #WorldWetlandsDay🌿! This noon the minister @Maisa_Rojas came to the commune of Hualaihué to declare the new Urban Wetland: Hornopirén🍃, which joins the 25 protected ecosystem systems in the region. pic.twitter.com/7btneig8Cb
— Ministry of the Environment (@MMAChile) February 2, 2024
PROTECTION FOR THE ACULEO LAGOON
Within the framework of the anniversary, environmental organizations such as Greenpeace asked the Environment Ministry to declare the city an urban wetland. Aculeo Lagoonlocated in the Metropolitan Region, of great environmental value and biological interest due to its Connectivity between the Coastal Mountains and the Andes Mountains.
«This space has recovered its flow in 2023 and it is urgent to protect it legally»said the spokesperson for the environmental organization, Silvana Espinosathrough a statement.
The protection request was formally raised for the first time in 2022, but the process was not successful and the municipality tried again last year, when the process was admitted.
«If the request is accepted, all activities that will be developed from now on in the lagoon, whether productive, real estate, tourism, or others, must comply sustainability requirements that do not threaten its preservation,» Espinosa explained.
The lagoon dried up in the last decade until it was exhausted in 2018 as a result of the climate crisis, drought and intense use of water for agricultural and private purposes. After its disappearance, it seemed practically impossible for its reflecting pool to return, however, With last year’s rains it sprouted again, its ecosystem was reborn and numerous species returned to the area..
«We are in this process of declaring the wetland, to protect this body of water through legal tools with the aim of preserving the natural conditions of the lagoon, especially the circulation and navigation of boats,» said the mayor of Paine, Rodrigo Contreras.
In Chile there are more than 40,000 wetlands that cover an area of 4.5 million hectares, about 5.9% of the country.