Chile's Council of Ministers for Sustainability voted today to unanimously create the Cochamó Valley Nature Sanctuary in the Los Lagos region. 

 

The new protected area will include more than 11,000 hectares, protecting ancient alerce forests, rivers and wetlands, among other natural environments. 

 

The result of years of effort by the local community and several public and private institutions, the sanctuary moreover will protect 6,500 hectares of mature forest and 1,800 hectares of ancient alerce forest, in addition to around 50 species of animals.

 

Andrés Diez, director of Puelo Patagonia, one of the organizations involved in leading the campaign to create the sanctuary together with the Cochamó Valley organization and the community told Patagon Journal. "The Cochamó Valley is without a doubt a unique place in Chile and the world. And while Puelo Patagonia has been working on its protection for several years, the designation of this part of the valley as a Nature Sanctuary is a milestone that makes us feel proud and gives us the strength to continue advancing in the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the Cochamó comuna.”