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HIGHLAND RODEO

Nowadays the chaccu, an ancestral tradition of herding vicuñas, is an important yardstick of success in ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change (EbA).

February 9^th, 2015

The Lima town of Tanta, one of the most vulnerable to climate change according to environmental impact studies, is located in the Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve, which implements policies developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Mountain Ecosystems-Based Adaptation Project (known in Spanish as EbA Montaña). Vicuña management associated with the administration of livestock is one of the specific EbA measures in this geographical area. Such a practice promotes the restoration of natural pastures and wetlands and the production of animal fibers, prevents soil erosion, contributes to water regulation, and also creates employment opportunities while boosting tourism.

Tanta, Yauyos province, Lima. 4,300 meters above sea level.

Chaccu from a health perspective

Tanta, located in the central highlands of Lima, south-west of Mount Pariacaca at 4,300 meters above sea level, is a small community of adobe houses and red gable roofing, and with approximately four hundred inhabitants. No internet service is in place but there is, nonetheless, access to water, electricity and a cell-phone signal. The climate in Tanta is bitterly cold. Edith Fernández-Baca, the coordinator of the Mountain Ecosystems-Based Adaptation Project in Peru explains: “When the study relating to vulnerability to climate change was carried out, we realized that Tanta, as a watershed that gives rise to the Cañete, Mantaro and Pachacayo rivers, should be of prime concern in executing our programme.”

Common practices of people in this area led to domestic livestock invading the region of Moyobamba, a natural grassland area of the highlands that is home to many vicuña, resulting in the topsoil being damaged. “Such activity produced soil erosion, exacerbated by changes in rainfall, and impeded the capture and penetration of water, causing runoff and erosion,“ recounts Rommel Segura, a Tanta-based expert in pastureland and livestock, and an agronomist. Indeed, many experts predict that, if the current situation were to continue, by 2030 Tanta would suffer unprecedented water stress. But that would not be the worst-case scenario: in fact, even coastal areas such as Cañete and Lima would see their water supply (for human consumption, agriculture and electricity) depleted considerably. Segura continues: “Similarly, the unbridled coexistence of vicuñas with domestic livestock has resulted in the spread of parasitic diseases, especially scabies in alpacas and llamas.”

Therefore it is timely to discuss the subject of chaccu, a type of method for herding animals in an effort to enclose them and usually shear them. However, on this occasion, this traditional activity has another objective: medicating animal with a view to combating scabies that is leading to mortality among the animals.

“Chaccu, from an animal health perspective, is carried out in the context of a larger strategy of EbA measures: livestock management and the return of domestic species to communal farms, working effectively with Andean highland pastures and water resources, and strengthening the management of vicuñas and the ecosystem,” explains Woodro Andia, field coordinator of the EbA Mountain project. Andia stresses, however, that “all decisions and proposals for the project and the National Service for State-Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP), a strategic partner in this context, are not implemented without the express consent of people of Tanta.” The chaccu is highly compatible with EbA measures because it does not involve a permanent “gray infrastructure” (traditional water management systems) but aims to strengthen the conservation of the local ecosystem, flora and fauna.

Vicuña in Moyobamba. 4,700 meters above sea level.

Tanta Villagers placing cattle grids for chaccu (the tradition of herding vicuña).

Romel Segura, technician for the EbA Mountain project, installing the
vicuña trap. — Romel Segura, technician for the EbA Mountain project, installing the vicuña trap.

A healthy stampede

Moyobamba. 4,700 meters above sea level. 6:20 a.m. The day has arrived. The wide-ranging area of grassland which is usually shrouded in silence now evidences a highly expectant and celebratory sense of anticipation. For the first time, the natives of Tanta are holding a chaccu, at the initiative of the local community, counting on the support of agencies involved in the Mountain EbA project. The sound of the wind on the grass is an evocative counterpoint to the crystalline waters of the streams that run through the pampa. The echo bounces off pristine rocks displaying only a few vestiges of vegetation.

To mark the occasion, 3600 meters of mesh on both flanks have been deployed. Those in charge of the event place structures on the rocky spurs to prevent vicuñas from escaping in view of the fact that these animals are extremely agile and easily scared. The villagers are poised to move forward with flags, forming a human wall, and drive the vicuña toward the final gauntlet of poles and high fences. A squad of veterinary specialists have already prepared medicines and anti-parasitic drugs to administer to the camelids that will finally be caught. The human chain moves forward.

On the horizon and the highlands, the first specimens of these brown-wool-bearing creatures can be discerned. The animals gallop, run, stampede. Indeed, they go in all directions and disregard the mesh put in place to prevent them from straying beyond the perimeter. There is a veritable hullaballoo. Those responsible for making decisions shout out the last orders. The terrified vicuñas are directed toward the circle that will ensure that their lives will not be at risk.

The people of Tanta travel by every possible means.

Woodro Andía, Field Co-ordinator for the EBA Mountain project, after the capture of the vicuña.

Tanta villager administering the anti-parasitic drug to vicuña (to protect against scabies).

A friendlier form of hunting

Minutes later, the community celebration begins: excitement, music, glasses held up to toast. The day has been a success. 175 vicuñas have been captured in order to apply the anti-parasitic drugs so that they can return to their pastures. The work of the whole community ensures that the efforts, consciousness-raising days, training and performance of individuals in the proper management of vicuñas in the wild finally bear fruit. Andia is happy and confirms with a smile: “The entire municipality, community leaders, SERNANP, project leaders, the upper and lower schools, women´s groups and grassroots organizations, all played their part.”

The vicuña management plan was keenly anticipated by the mayor of Tanta, Gloria Reyes as well as by the villagers. “We took successful steps to tackle scabies and its spread, and promoted the potential role of vicuñas as a way to generate income from their fiber, which is highly valued in the international market. The livestock system should be one of our central concerns; and our task now is to empower the people of Tanta, so that they can manage their pasturelands and communal farms. By doing this, we will go a long way in avoiding the impact of climate change, soil erosion, and deregulation of our water resources.”

The Mountain EbA project

The Mountain Ecosystems-Based Adaptation program (EbA) is a collaborative initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (through its implementing partner, the Mountain Institute (MI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Public Works and Nuclear Safety of the German Government (BMUB). In Peru, the programme is run by the Ministry of Environment of Peru (MINAM) and is implemented in the Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve (RPNYC), with support from the National Service for Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP).

For more information visit our website: ebaflagship.org/peru

Mountain EbA team: Héctor Bonilla, Adriana Kato, Edith Fernández-Baca,
Woodro Andía and Romel Segura. — Mountain EbA team: Héctor Bonilla, Adriana Kato, Edith Fernández-Baca, Woodro Andía and Romel Segura.

After administering the anti-parasitic drug, the vicuña are freed.

Footnotes

By EBA MONTAÑA PERÚ. Escrito por José Carlos Picón (Tres mitades). Fotos: Carlos Díaz Huertas, Fabio Ovalle y Adriana Kato.

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FootNotes

By EBA MONTAÑA PERÚ. Escrito por José Carlos Picón (Tres mitades). Fotos: Carlos Díaz Huertas, Fabio Ovalle y Adriana Kato.

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HIGHLAND RODEO

Nowadays the chaccu, an ancestral tradition of herding vicuñas, is an important yardstick of success in ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change (EbA).

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