The Board of Corpoguajira, Agreements adopted whereby two new protected areas are declared in the department, located in the region of Musichi (Township Manaure) and the other in the Perijá (Barrancas, Fonseca and San Juan del Cesar).

Studies to achieve this goal, were conducted by the Foundation and Biocolombia the highest environmental authority.

"With these two new Protected Areas, reaffirm our commitment and institutional mission and also contribute to ensuring the protection of biodiversity and environmental integrity, conserve areas of special ecological importance to the region and plan the management and use of natural resources to enable sustainable development and conservation ", Romero Perez explains Arcesio, General Manager Corpoguajira.

DISTRICT INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT MUSICHI (Manaure)

Its main objective is to preserve the habitat necessary for the maintenance of the populations of pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) living there, as well as natural areas which are used by the contingent of migratory birds from the northern hemisphere to temporarily occupy their territory.

Musichi, home values ​​and biotic ecosystem of great value to the department of La Guajira, such as mangrove forests and scrub subxerophytic, characteristic of this part of the department, which are poorly represented in the Protected Areas System of Colombia. It is habitat for a large population of pink flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), species nationally qualified low risk of extinction Vulnerable .

It has a rich biodiversity, because it is the habitat of 15 amphibian species, 52 reptile species potentially present, 22 mammal species and 242 bird species potentially present equivalent to 13% of birds recorded for Colombia, the 65% distributed in the lowlands of the country, and 61% of all recorded in the Caribbean region of Colombia between 0 and 1000 m. Additionally it is a place of temporary residence, feeding and resting a large contingent of migratory birds which move along the edges of the marshes, lagoons and estuaries. En Musichi, representation is high waterfowl, which together correspond to 29% of bird species in Colombia and 42% migratory waterfowl that visit the country. Which is the result of the presence in it of mangroves, water bodies and wetland areas.

The work to accomplish this declaration were made through the agreement between Corpoguajira and Conservation International Colombia.

This area is an integral part of the indigenous reserve of high and medium Guajira, belonging to the Wayuu ethnic, who throughout the study continued support and active participation of the local population was obtained, also expressed strong commitment to be linked to future administration and management of the area, since they are aware of the benefits, that to improve their quality of life, represents the protection of this area of ​​its territory.

DISTRICT OF INTEGRATED SERRANÍA PERIJA.

The area covers a surface fit of 23.882,7 hectares, located in the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Barrancas, Fonseca and San Juan del Cesar, which was declared in order to protect the perpetuity, dry forest ecosystems, Andean and sub-Andean existing in this portion of the Perijá, to ensure the survival of both flora and wildlife existing there, the maintenance of ecosystem services essential for human well-being guarantee of local populations.

Also ensure the preservation of existing forest communities there and particularly threatened plant species or species that are classified as near threatened and ensure the permanence of species of wildlife that are threatened with extinction.

The declaration also seeks to protect the habitats of migratory birds boreal species in the area with one of their sites access, stop and supplies. Safeguard the upper watersheds of the rivers Cañaverales, Palomino and Cerrejón; Rabbit and streams, La Quebrada, Seco y Caurina; tributaries of the River Rancheria, to contribute to the maintenance of surface water flows that originate in the area and ensure the supply of water for the population.

In addition to the declaration, management zoning was adopted for the area, in which they were established their uses: principal, compatible, prohibited and conditioned. Likewise, the following zones were defined: sustainable use, restoration, options for preservation and restoration for sustainable use.

These works were advanced under an agreement between Corpoguajira and Biocolombia Foundation, which was supported technically and financially by the Conserva Colombia Program (convenio TNC – Fund for Environmental Action and Children).

An Integrated Management District is a geographical area, in which landscapes and ecosystems retain their composition and function, although its structure has been modified and whose natural and associated cultural values ​​are placed within reach of the human population to be allocated to sustainable use, preservation restoration, understanding and enjoyment.