Tuesday 4.6.2024
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Last update 10:01
Since 2003, Santa Fe has had a Provincial System of Protected Natural Areas, created by Law No. 12,175. They are environments or territories subject to special management to meet conservation, protection and/or preservation objectives of their flora, fauna or landscape. These areas are classified as: natural, scientific, water, cultural reserves, protected landscapes, provincial parks and natural monuments.
They can also be Private Multiple Use Reserves (RPUM): private establishments that, through an agreement with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, are added to the protected areas of the province. Without giving up profits or restricting the use of land, generally agricultural-livestock, they are committed to guaranteeing the conservation of natural resources or facilitating their regeneration.
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To meet the goal, they can adopt sustainable practices such as rotational grazing or water harvesting. Also, add activities related to the enjoyment or study of nature, such as rural tourism, sightseeing, hiking and photographic safaris, among others. Or implement a management plan for the native forest and receive the funds provided by the Forest Law, useful for investing in infrastructure and maintenance of the property.
There is the possibility of converting them into Private Multiple Use Reserves (RPUM).
Among the benefits it generates, those who registered their establishment as RPUM highlight the rapid response of the State to an intrusion, since the security forces have priority to act in the face of a conflict in one of these areas. They also consider that in the medium term it can improve the agricultural business, certifying that its production comes from a natural reserve.
More protected surfaces
In turn, the RPUM were designated as key pieces in the implementation of conservation plans, such as the one designed for the protection of the yellow cardinal and the crowned eagle, two natural monuments of Santa Fe. For this reason, and because it is stated in Law 12,175, it is an objective to “expand the protected area” in the province.
The Director of Forests and Protected Areas, Luciana Manelli, said that the goal in Santa Fe – in line with the Paris Biodiversity Agreement – is to reach 30% of the protected area by 2030. “Currently we are far below and That’s why we are very interested in generating agreements with private properties that consider joining,” he indicated.
There is the possibility of converting them into Private Multiple Use Reserves (RPUM).
The official clarified: “it does not mean that nothing can be done in that 30%,” but rather that “there are many levels of protection” to register a property. Among the requirements, the first is scale, since the minimum surface area is 1.5 hectares. Nor can extractive or intensive activities be carried out: “not a feedlot, but silvopastoral livestock farming; bees; hiking.” And it is not mandatory to close areas of the course, although it can be done if the owner wishes. The State also supports these initiatives from the Tourism Secretariat of the Ministry of Productive Development, providing advice on the design of tourist services to offer.
The case of “La Herminia”
One of the most recent to be created is the RPUM “La Herminia”, owned by Francisco Buyatti. Located in the 9 de Julio department, it consists of 2,500 hectares of forest with open fields, in which cattle farming coexists in harmony with wild fauna and flora. “I have three species that are on the verge of extinction,” he said, referring to the crowned eagle, the yellow cardinal and the maned guazú; in addition to pumas and collared peccaries, among many other birds, reptiles and mammals. Based on this resource, it also aims to develop ecotourism. Since photos of this biodiversity began to circulate, “the field fills up with people on the weekends.”
There is the possibility of converting them into Private Multiple Use Reserves (RPUM).
The producer decided to join “because it can be produced while conserving, without altering the environment so much.” Registration, he said, is not at all cumbersome. You just have to contact the Ministry of the Environment, express interest and present the establishment’s documentation. “They come, do a study of the fauna and flora, and tell you how you could manage it sustainably.”
On the other hand, he clarified: “it has almost nothing to do with production; the only thing I can’t do is dismantle.” Something that does not interest him, because that forest has a productive value, especially when the weather is bad. “For example, in dry periods, it is spectacular how the animal takes advantage of the fruit of the mountain.”
Among other benefits, Buyatti highlights protection against poachers as very important. “By having the field in reserve, today the Rural Guard has the obligation to respond to a complaint because it is as if it were a national park.”
While advancing in the tourist offer, the producer does not doubt that as a rancher he will obtain a benefit from being an RPUM. “I know that tomorrow it will pay off for me, because raising farms in natural fields will be a very profitable market niche that I will be able to serve; in the long run it will be an advantage to have the field producing sustainably.” Even the carbon credit market, although “incipient”, is also attractive in the future.
Buyatti affirms that the figure of the RPUM generates growing interest among his peers. “My neighbors came and met; we were in talks with technicians from Conicet and the Environment of the province and they are interested in joining,” he said.
