On May 12th, in a community meeting or “Tanta Chawi” in the Sullka Llaxta Agua Blanca, the traditional authorities of the Marka Cololo Copacabana Antaquilla approved their Land Management Plan or Life Plan of the Marka that includes the plans of the Katantika, Cololo, Antaquilla, Nube Pampa and Puyo Puyoayllus or communities. Its development was supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
The Marka Cololo Copacabana of Antaquilla is located in the ancient territory Pukina Colla, adjacent to that of the Kallawayas, in the municipality of Pelechuco, Department of La Paz. Their territory of 412.89 km2 completely overlaps with Apolobamba Protected Area a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Apolobamba is a key area for the conservation of threatened Andean fauna, such as the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita), Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and North Andean huemul (Hippocamelus antisensis). It also protects keñua forest patches (Polylepis spp.) and is a major center of origin and diversification of Andean crops such as potatoes (Solanum spp.), oca (Oxalis tuberosa) and racacha (Arracacia xanthorriza). Its importance is increased by its role in maintaining connectivity of high Andean ecosystems, dry interandean forests and montane forests that are crucial for species with large spatial requirements, such as the Andean bear and the Andean condor.
The land management plan is an essential tool that will allow guide development within the Marka Cololo based on its cultural identity, protection of their territorial rights, sustainable natural resource use and safe guarding traditional biodiversity knowledge. It will also strengthen their management capacity, coordination with Pelechuco municipality and Apolobamba protected area, and community involvement in biodiversity conservation.