UNESCO funds fire prevention efforts at the World Heritage site Los Alerces National Park, Argentina

A World Heritage site inscribed in 2017, Los Alerces National Park is situated in the Andes in the northern region of Patagonia, Argentina, with its western boundary coinciding with the Chilean border.

Successive glaciations have sculpted a spectacular landscape with moraines, glacial cirques and crystal-clear lakes. Home to some of the last remaining well-preserved tracts of Patagonian Forest, this protected area is crucial for several endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna.

Following the recent devastating fire, UNESCO approved the mobilization of HEF to reinforce the control and surveillance competencies of the National Directorate of Operations of the National Parks Administration (APN) of the National Park.

Preventive measures funded by HEF incorporate advanced technology for remote monitoring, namely through a specialised video camera system, secure communications equipment, telemetric and georeferenced thermal night vision, and surveillance drones.

The support also involves a national commitment to provide additional human resources and production of tools and guidelines.

"In the face of increasing threats to World Heritage sites, UNESCO is leading the global efforts to reinforce prevention and proactive monitoring through advance technologies. The emergency funds will not only safeguard Los Alerces National Park, an area of incalculable ecological and universal value, but also strengthen local capacities in the fight against fires," said Ernesto Fernández Polcuch, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo.

The initiative builds on the strong and ongoing cooperation between UNESCO, the Coordination of Externally Funded Projects (COPROFE) and the National Directorate of Operations of the National Parks Administration, and Los Alerces National Park.

"For the first time, funds have been allocated to strengthen the control and surveillance capacities of the National Park Ranger Corps. This will allow us to ensure active prevention of intentional fires and significantly increase in the number of park rangers in Los Alerces National Park," said Danilo Hernández Otaño, Park Director of Los Alerces National Park.

Established by UNESCO in 2015, the Heritage Emergency Fund is a funding mechanism that enables rapid and effective response to crises caused by natural or human-induced hazards around the world. It also contributes to fostering social cohesion and community resilience to crises.

We wish to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, the Kingdom of Norway, the French Republic, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Estonia, ANA Holdings INC, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of Serbia.