UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

12/02/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2024 06:56

Ancestral practice promotes vicuña conservation and sustainable development in Chile's Lauca Biosphere Reserve

Over 100 participants took part in a chaku-a pre-Incan practice of herding and non-invasive shearing of vicuñas-organized by the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) of Arica and Parinacota and the National Indigenous Development Corporation (CONADI). This event, part of a sustainable vicuña management project funded by Spain's Autonomous Organism of National Parks (OAPN) through UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, represents a milestone in the reconnection of community, nature, and culture.

The chaku, conducted in the Arica and Parinacota Region, managed 84 vicuñas and yielded nearly 10 kilograms of high-quality fiber. Peruvian shearing expert Emilio Escalante remarked, "The quality of the fleece collected surpasses that observed in other Andean regions, likely due to these vicuñas being unmanaged for more than 30 years."This highlights the potential of the resource to directly benefit local communities, enabling them to transform the fiber into textiles and handicrafts and create a sustainable income stream.

A model of sustainability and community learning

Beyond shearing, the event included a seminar titled "Community Management of Vicuñas in the Lauca Biosphere Reserve". International experts shared insights on management techniques, animal welfare, and international regulations, such as the CITES Convention. Bibiana Vilá, a scientist from the VICAM research team in Argentina, emphasized: "The vicuña is one of the few species to recover from near extinction thanks to sustainable management. Activities like the chaku not only allow fiber collection without harming the animals but also foster dialogue between scientific and local knowledge, promoting a respectful and sustainable use of biodiversity."

On the commercialization of vicuña fiber, Vilá added: "The market is highly exclusive, with prices reaching up to $500 per kilogram on the international market. For communities to benefit fully, reducing reliance on large intermediaries and promoting direct access to 'green' market niches that value both quality and sustainability is essential."

She noted that integrating processes like dehairing and artisanal weaving could further maximize economic benefits, enabling Aymara communities to generate significant income from these activities.

CONAF

A cultural and environmental legacy for the future

The success of the chakuin the Lauca Biosphere Reserve underscores the value of linking cultural traditions with conservation strategies. It strengthens the identity of Aymara communities while safeguarding the habitat of the vicuña.

With continued support from local communities, experts, and international partners, the chakumodel could be replicated and expanded as a community-based natural resource management approach. This initiative not only reinforces a commitment to sustainable development but also serves as an inspiration for other regions to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

This event was organized as part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which seeks to establish a scientific base for improving the relationship between people and their environments.