The Guanentá Alto Río Foncé Fauna and Flora Sanctuary was declared on November 18, 1993 in order to “preserve species, animal and plant communities, for scientific and educational purposes, and for the conservation of genetic resources of the national fauna and flora”; it belongs to the Norandina biogeographic province and the biogeographic districts of the High Andean Forest on the internal slope of the Eastern Cordillera and the Eastern Cordillera Paramos. The sanctuary is part of the Guantiva-La Rusia corridor and currently covers an area of 10,248.95 hectares.
To the northwest, it borders the Cachalú Biological Reserve, a private reserve of Fundación Natura, considered an important research center through which species have been identified that could potentially be inside the protected area (Pérez, 2005) and to the south, it borders the Pan de Azúcar and La Rusia Municipal Park, declared by the Duitama Municipal Council through Agreement 007 of 2010, which has set as one of its objectives: Conserve and Protect the ecosystems of the Páramos de La Rusia and Pan de Azúcar and surrounding Andean and high Andean forest, in the jurisdiction of the municipality of Duitama, as a fundamental axis in the conservation corridor Guantiva – La Rusia – Iguaque and buffer zone of the Sanctuary.
The actions developed in the protected area are framed within the Social Participation Policy of the Special Administrative Unit of National Parks, which is based on the recognition of the public nature of the issues that the citizen initiative assumes, and the nature and function of the State within which it takes shape, which in the Colombian case is constitutionally defined as a social rule of law configured as a participatory democracy, which institutes modern political forms for any management. The protected area has been able to establish a good relationship with the different strategic stakeholders identified, such as the farmers and the local community in the area surrounding the PA, because there are no inhabitants within the protected area, where there are voluntary conservation agreements signed with the community that participates in the implementation of Sustainable Systems for Conservation.
Photo Credit – Parques Nacionales de Colombia
Conservation
Good governance
Community benefits
The Guanentá Alto Río Foncé Fauna and Flora Sanctuary was declared on November 18, 1993 in order to “preserve species, animal and plant communities, for scientific and educational purposes, and for the conservation of genetic resources of the national fauna and flora”; it belongs to the Norandina biogeographic province and the biogeographic districts of the High Andean Forest on the internal slope of the Eastern Cordillera and the Eastern Cordillera Paramos. The sanctuary is part of the Guantiva-La Rusia corridor and currently covers an area of 10,248.95 hectares. To the northwest, it borders the Cachalú Biological Reserve, a private reserve of Fundación Natura, considered an important research center through which species have been identified that could potentially be inside the protected area (Pérez, 2005) and to the south, it borders the Pan de Azúcar and La Rusia Municipal Park, declared by the Duitama Municipal Council through Agreement 007 of 2010, which has set as one of its objectives: Conserve and Protect the ecosystems of the Páramos de La Rusia and Pan de Azúcar and surrounding Andean and high Andean forest, in the jurisdiction of the municipality of Duitama, as a fundamental axis in the conservation corridor Guantiva – La Rusia – Iguaque and buffer zone of the Sanctuary.
Good Governance: The Santuario de Fauna y Flora Guanentá Alto Río Fonce has implemented a governance model that involves a wide range of key stakeholders, which has been fundamental to its success in conservation. This model includes participation from the Autonomous Regional Corporations of Boyacá and Santander, peasant and educational communities from the municipalities of Encino, Charalá, Gámbita in Santander, and Duitama in Boyacá. Additionally, members of the Peña Negra military base, the Taoist community, service providers, public and private universities, international organizations such as WCS and WWF Colombia, as well as FONTUR, Colgate Palmolive, research institutes, volunteer park rangers, and community radio stations have been actively involved. Collaboration with these stakeholders has led to significant progress in implementing processes related to the management of the protected area. A crucial part of the community engagement strategy has been the prioritization of hiring local personnel, which has not only created opportunities in rural areas but also reduced conflicts by strengthening social cohesion and the community’s sense of belonging to the sanctuary. Between 2016 and 2021, 168 conservation agreements were signed, reducing pressures such as livestock farming and promoting sustainable practices. Environmental education has been a key pillar in this process, along with the promotion of gender equity and generational renewal, ensuring that women and young people occupy strategic roles in the management and conservation of the area. This collaborative and equitable approach has been essential in maintaining the ecological integrity of the sanctuary and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Design and Planning: Guanentá has a Management Plan approved through Resolution No. 0157 on April 24, 2018. Currently, efforts are underway to update this Plan to ensure it aligns with current conditions. The protected area is recognized in the planning and zoning instruments of the surrounding municipalities, highlighting its importance for conservation and protection. These instruments define specific actions to promote its care. In the context of collaboration between the PA and the peasant community, approximately 130 families have benefited through the establishment of agreements and the strengthening of sustainable productive processes in the area of influence. This has been achieved through the Sustainable Systems for Conservation strategy, which includes training, technical support, and the provision of equipment, supplies, and tools. Various conservation figures are being consolidated and articulated around the PA, in collaboration with the Autonomous Regional Corporations. This effort aims to reduce internal pressures on the PA and strengthen the ecosystem connectivity of the territory. The design and planning of the SFF GARF are focused on the long-term conservation of its ecological and cultural values. Eighty-seven patches of key species, such as frailejones and Polylepis quadrijuga, have been identified, and monitoring programs have been implemented to ensure their protection. Updating the Management Plan has been a priority, incorporating an external vision that includes organizing and regulating ecotourism in collaboration with local communities. Additionally, work has been done to improve ecosystem connectivity with other conservation figures, reducing internal pressures and strengthening sustainable management of the territory.
Effective Management: The SFF GARF has made significant progress in its effective management, focusing on ecological restoration and the implementation of sustainable productive systems. The reforestation of páramo, high mountain, Andean Forest, and high Andean Forest species has been successfully carried out on 186 hectares, mainly affected by livestock farming. Additionally, sustainable productive systems have been implemented on 1,252 hectares, positively impacting conservation both within and outside the protected area. Despite budgetary limitations, collaboration with various entities has been key to maintaining and advancing conservation and restoration activities. The inclusion of local communities’ empirical knowledge has improved the monitoring of priority species and strengthened the adaptive capacity and management of the protected area. In terms of infrastructure, the PA currently has one administrative headquarters, two operational offices, one high mountain refuge, and three nurseries dedicated to the propagation of páramo, high mountain, Andean Forest, and high Andean forest species. The available personnel are sufficient to meet the proposed goals for the year and have allowed significant progress in the established work lines. Since its creation, the sanctuary has achieved the land regularization of 191.8 hectares. Within the protected area, there are no peasant settlements, and only three properties are used for livestock farming. Additionally, research and baseline studies for the monitoring of Conservation Objective Values have advanced, consolidating the integrated management approach of the protected area.
Conservation Results: The conservation efforts in Sanctuary have been remarkably successful, as evidenced by the high rating obtained in the 2022 ecological integrity analyses. These analyses show high value in the ecosystem’s composition, structure, and functional connectivity, underscoring the effectiveness of the conservation measures implemented. The sanctuary is strategically surrounded by several key conservation figures, such as the Regional Integrated Management District (DRMI) Guantiva-La Rusia, which completely surrounds it under the administration of CAS. It is also connected to the Pan de Azúcar – El Consuelo Regional Natural Park, managed by Corpoboyacá, the Natural Reserve of the Civil Society (RNSC) Las Lagunas Encantadas, and the Cachalú Biological Reserve. These areas constitute ecologically important corridors within the páramo complexes and high Andean forests, strengthening the sanctuary’s ecological function within the region. The restoration of native vegetation, especially frailejones, has been a significant achievement, with positive results in propagating these species in specialized nurseries. These initiatives have significantly contributed to reducing livestock pressures, particularly in sectors such as Chontales Alto, El Retiro, Pozo Negro, Vegas de San Juan, and Playas Mejoras. A total of 437 hectares have been freed from livestock pressures, of which 42 hectares are being subjected to active ecological restoration strategies, while 395 hectares are undergoing passive ecological restoration. These efforts have not only allowed the recovery of key ecosystems but also preserved biodiversity, establishing the FFS as a fundamental pillar for conservation in the region.
Site Visit: During the recent visit of EAGL to the Guanenta Sanctuary several key aspects were highlighted that underscore the importance of restoration and sustainable management of the protected area. At the Cachalú Viewpoint, successful restoration of the vegetation cover affected by livestock farming and fires has been achieved, with the planting of páramo species over 186 hectares. The High Mountain Nursery, which has reproduced 12 different species of frailejones, plays a crucial role in propagating native species and coordinating the restoration of the protected area. This nursery also manages prevention, surveillance, and control strategies, and highlights the importance of collaboration with entities such as CAS, the Government of Santander, WWF-Colombia, and Colgate-Palmolive for its success. In the Avendaños 1 and 2 villages of the municipality of Duitama, the visit revealed the benefits of agreements with peasants who previously occupied the protected area. These agreements have allowed the eradication of livestock pressure and improved the sanctuary’s governance. The inclusion of local families in conservation incentive programs has reduced pressure on natural resources and fostered greater environmental awareness while strengthening social cohesion and the relationship between the community and the sanctuary. In the Virolín sector of the Charalá municipality, the visit highlighted the importance of the Virolín Nursery in propagating plant species associated with lowland areas and restoring wetland areas. The Santuario de Virolín School has supported environmental education through the construction of the botanical garden trail “El Santuario” and an orchidarium, contributing to the knowledge of orchids, including the discovery of Lepanthes charalensis. The “Así es Charalá” ecotourism initiative, which promotes differential tourism based on local history and culture, and the support of Agrosolidaria Capítulo Charalá for sustainable productive systems and agro-tourism, were also observed. The visit also included the Tao Community in the municipality of Charalá, where progress in resolving a historical conflict was shown. Collaboration on productive initiatives and environmental education since 2023 has established a solid foundation for conflict management and improved conservation in the area. During the visit, significant progress was observed in the restoration of previously degraded areas, especially in high mountain areas. The implementation of environmental education programs in collaboration with local institutions, such as the Santuario de Virolín School, has strengthened the bond between the community and the protected area. Tours of nurseries and restoration areas revealed the success in propagating native species and the importance of collaboration between the sanctuary and local actors in the sustainable management of the territory.
Public Consultation: The public consultation with stakeholders was conducted through a Google form, available from July 12 to August 16, exceeding the 30-day period stipulated in the LVAPC User Manual. This survey was disseminated on the websites of IUCN South America and Colombia’s PNN. The management of the form was the responsibility of an EAGL representative, who was in charge of reviewing the responses and sharing the results with the rest of the experts. The public consultation process was characterized by the generous and diverse inclusion of key stakeholders, involving 121 participants from different sectors. The local community had a prominent presence, representing 48.76% of the respondents, highlighting its vital role in conservation processes. The consultation included a wide range of perspectives, from residents in specific villages and buffer zones of the sanctuary to representatives from academia, who contributed 32.23% of the participation, showing strong interest in research and environmental education. Furthermore, the consultation integrated NGOs and environmental groups, government authorities, and actors from the tourism sector, demonstrating a collective commitment to the sustainable management of the protected area. The responses collected reflect a positive assessment of the sanctuary’s management, highlighting its organization and collaborative efforts with the community. However, it was suggested to improve the inclusion of more actors in management and strengthen environmental education to ensure greater community involvement in decision-making. This inclusive and diverse approach to public consultation is crucial for the sustainability and effectiveness of the sanctuary’s conservation strategies, ensuring that management actions reflect the needs and expectations of all involved sectors. The active and committed participation of the local community and academia strengthens the sanctuary’s ability to adapt to the changing needs of the region and maintain its fundamental role in biodiversity protection.
Recommendations: As a result of the evaluation of the FFS GARF, the EAGL recommends:
• It is recommended that the area reviews indicator 1.1.5 considering aspects such as the hiring of community staff and their contribution to gender equity. It is crucial to make generational change and support for productive activities with a gender focus and equitable distribution of benefits visible, especially in relation to community participation in productive projects. In addition, empirical knowledge on species propagation, sustainable practices, and cultural traditions that have favoured the conservation of the area should be integrated.
• Regarding financial limitations, it is important to evaluate the fulfilment of goals considering both internal and external sources and to make external contributions visible in the evidence of the protected area. The availability and maintenance of vehicles should also be improved.
• The indicators associated with cultural elements, although not currently applicable, it is suggested to discuss and try to link them with the Conservation Values of the protected area in the process of updating the planning instrument.
• The sanctuary should use the available information to address the recommendations of the aforementioned indicators and integrate these elements into its improvement plan, with appropriate support from the EAGL within the Green List phase. It is suggested that this process be accompanied by proper management and follow-up by the EAGL to ensure its correct implementation and monitoring.
