Peru Protects One of the World’s Rarest Forests with New Regional Conservation Area 

05/22/2025

The Cutervo Regional Conservation Area in the Inter-Andean Dry Forests is part of the Marañón Dry Forest, a globally unique and highly threatened ecoregion. 

This International Day for Biological Diversity, a rare bird’s song calls us to act for endangered species and irreplaceable ecosystems.

“Piu, piu, piu, piu” echoes through the Inter-Andean Dry Forests of Cutervo, carried on the wind beneath the bright Andean sun. It’s the call of the Marañón spinetail (Synallaxis maranonica), a small, elusive bird with soft gray feathers and chestnut-colored back, wings, and tail. It lives hidden among dense vines in steep ravines and along forested streams. Its sharp, repetitive song seems almost like a cry, a haunting lament for how close it is to disappearing from the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Marañón spinetail as Critically Endangered, meaning it faces an extremely high risk of extinction.

The species and many other critically endangered, endemic species like Mimosa lamolina, face threats primarily from deforestation and forest fires that destroy their habitat to make way for agricultural expansion. A lack of awareness about the importance of conserving these species only worsens the situation. 

“It’s crucial to protect these species because birds and plants like these play key roles in maintaining ecological balance through their interactions with the environment, for example, as seed dispersers and oxygen producers. Establishing this regional conservation area is not just about protecting land—it’s about protecting life in its natural state, benefiting both present and future generations.”

Elvis Allauja Salazar, Project Manager at Nature and Culture

Thanks to the joint efforts of Nature and Culture, Andes Amazon Fund, and the Regional Government of Cajamarca, the Cutervo Regional Conservation Area has been established to preserve this incredibly unique ecosystem.

Spanning 45,494 acres (18,410.94 hectares), this new conservation area protects a rich mosaic of 475 species of flora and fauna. Located in the districts of Choros, Toribio Casanova, and Santo Tomás, in the province of Cutervo, Cajamarca region, its aim is to conserve a critical regional sample of the Marañón Inter-Andean Seasonally Dry Forest ecosystem. Not only will the area help safeguard the habitats of endemic and threatened species, but it also promotes the sustainable use of natural resources and contributes to climate change mitigation. 

Protecting Ecosystems that Protect Us 

Establishing conservation areas is essential not only for protecting biodiversity, but also for preserving critical ecosystem services, like water cycle regulation and soil conservation. It also promotes sustainable economic development through responsible resource management and developing long-term economic activities without depleting them.  

“This area provides vital ecosystem services, such as climate regulation, soil conservation, carbon capture, and water supply for both household consumption and agricultural use,” said Daryl Briones Longa, Deputy Manager of Natural Resources and Protected Natural Areas at the Regional Government of Cajamarca, highlighting the importance of conserving this area. Briones also emphasizes that the area is part of Cajamarca’s Regional System of Natural Areas and fulfills institutional goals aligned with regional and national conservation priorities. Notably, it is the third regional conservation area in Peru dedicated to protecting the Marañón Dry Forests, a globally unique ecoregion. 

Communities at the Heart of Conservation 

Local communities living within the boundaries of this new protected area have long recognized the importance of protecting their forests and wildlife in the face of threats like illegal logging and wildfires. 

“I want these forests to be conserved because they purify the environment and allow the survival of many plants and animals. This is essential for ecological balance and life itself.”

Lilia Tarrillo Arévalo, Resident of Malleta. 

A Legacy of Conservation for Cajamarca and Beyond 

This new conservation area builds on a growing network of conservation across Cajamarca. 

Nature and Culture also supported the establishment of three other Regional Conservation Areas in the region: 

• El Chaupe, Cunía y Chinchiquilla Regional Conservation Area 
• Montane Forests of Jaén and Tabaconas Regional Conservation Area 
• Marañón Dry Forests Regional Conservation Area 

The establishment of the Cutervo Regional Conservation Area is part of a growing, coordinated effort to protect Peru’s most endangered ecosystems before it’s too late. It’s more than the protection of land; it’s a shared commitment to safeguarding life in its natural state, for current and future generations.

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, the cry of the Marañón spinetail reminds us what’s at stake. This new protected area stands as one of the last strongholds for dozens of endemic and threatened species, and as a powerful example of what’s possible when communities, governments, and supporters like you come together to protect the irreplaceable.