Guardians of the Water
A dramatic decline in biodiversity and the impacts of climate change have unleashed unprecedented droughts in the Pantanal Chaco region. Flows of important rivers are drastically low. Now local women are declaring themselves as guardians of the water. They are determined to secure a sustainable future for generations to come. Their collective aim? Ensure the enduring preservation of the remaining freshwater resources. The Voices for Just Climate Action-program (VCA) empowers these women and supports them to defend nature and their way of life.
The Pantanal Chaco (PACHA) is a transitional area between the Gran Chaco and the Pantanal region, encompassing parts of Bolivia and Paraguay. It combines features of the dry Gran Chaco forests and the swampy Pantanal, resulting in one of the richest ecosystems in the world hosting various plants and animal species (including endangered ones) that are adapted to both drier and wetter conditions.
Continuous threats such as deforestation, land encroachment and uncontrolled fires are contributing to climate change. It also leads to a significant decline in biodiversity and plays a part in the droughts and soil degradation in the Pantanal Chaco. This poses a threat to both the natural environment and the local communities residing in the area.
Triggered by the alarming loss of 4.04 million hectares of forest (an area equivalent to the size of the Netherlands) since 1985 in the Pantanal Chaco, a coalition of 169 communities, comprising almost 100,000 residents are rising up. They are dedicated to preserving their landscape, trying to safeguard the almost 20 million hectares left, which is so vital in fighting climate change.
Key priority areas in the vicinity include Tucavaca, Laguna Cáceres, and Río Negro. The healthy water flow in these regions is crucial, directly supporting 96,000 people and indirectly benefiting an additional 1,500,000 individuals.
Through the support of the VCA program, around 700 women and 150 indigenous communities have been able to raise their voices to advocate for water and their territory, spanning from the Pantanal Chaco to the Amazon. Because, without water, there's no production of food and the community itself is at risk. Some people have already moved away because of water shortages.
With the help of WWF-Bolivia and SBDA, ORE, PBACC, NATIVA (global and local partners of the VCA-network), local communities got their area, including the springs that feed for Laguna Cáceres, recognized and protected by the government—a big achievement for them and an example for other communities.
“Through this experience we, as a local community developed a stronger sense of ownership over our land, making us more committed to its protection. The VCA program helped us with that and provided data that showcased the importance to safeguard certain areas to assure water for the future. This led for example to harvesting of rainwater. And this is so important, because if we don’t have water, how are we going to live? How are we going to raise our children and feed our animals? That is why we, as women, fight tirelessly for this issue.” Delcy -local voice and GAIOC Charagua lyambae executive coordinator
“We always think about the community and the protection of our natural resources, so we must work in a nature-friendly way. The people of the community understand the importance of having a protected area. Those places were not protected because of logging and the hunting of animals, and now, as people are becoming more aware of our role in preserving the environment, we are dedicated to fostering a sustainable coexistence with nature for the well-being of present and future generations." Ana Maria - Tomicha-Secretary of Tourism - Motacusito Community