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Recent News
NCI Transfers Management of
Loja Watershed Properties to Municipality August 2008
60% of the watershed
is now under protection
A loan-for-use agreement was signed in late
July between NCI and the Municipality of Loja through which NCI
turned over the management of two of its properties located in
the El Carmen watershed, the principal water supply source for
the city. The total area of the properties is 915 acres. This
agreement has a duration of ten years, with the purpose of enabling
the Municipality as “Borrower” to develop a number
of activities including: conservation and recovery of natural
vegetation cover, reforestation with forest
species native to the site, protection methods such as wire and
live fences, scientific research, monitoring and signage, environmental
education, and control of forest fires.
These areas are part of the buffer zone of Podocarpus
National Park, and in addition to protecting Loja’s water
supply; they conserve the great diversity and endemism of the
humid cloud forest. The management of these areas will be accomplished
with money raised through a city water tax created for the protection
of watersheds and other priority conservation areas in the county
of Loja. Thanks to the joint work of the Municipality and NCI,
more than 4,500 acres (60% of the area of interest) is under protection.
species native to the site, protection methods such as wire and
live fences, scientific research, monitoring and signage, environmental
education, and control of forest fires.