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Saving the Corredor Azul

Since 2017

Partner

Wetlands International LAC Argentina

in cooperation with Wetlands International LAC Brazil and Wetlands International Global Office

Programme

The 3,400 km long Paraná-Paraguay river system is one of the world’s last remaining examples of a large, free-flowing river. The Corredor Azul (‘Blue Corridor’) is a system of amazing natural beauty and biodiversity and contains a myriad of unique land and water habitats. If dammed and or canalized, its wetlands will be degraded and their immense value and benefits for people lost forever.

The programme aims to safeguard the health and connectivity of the river system and its iconic wetlands – the Iberá Marshes and the Paraná Delta in Argentina, and the Pantanal in Brazil.

Since its start in 2017, the programme has developed strategic alliances with over 25 organizations in Argentina and Brazil, including governmental bodies, NGOs, universities and knowledge centers, and the private sector. Further, 18 community-based organizations have supported in the sustainable use of wetland resources to safeguard their livelihoods.

Other successful results of the programme to date include:

  • Agreements with livestock ranches in the Paraná Delta and the Pantanal to adopt better cattle raising practices (on 132,060 hectares).
  • Management plans developed for 4 protected areas in Argentina and 7 protected areas in Brazil with a combined area of about 1.5 million hecates.
  • 843 practitioners trained in the sustainable management of wetlands.

Goals

Safeguard the Corredor Azul (Paraná-Paraguay wetlands system) as an ecological, social and economic asset for South America. The aim is to conserve 1 million hectares of wetlands, achieve sustainable productive use of 160,000 hectares, and maintain the free-flowing river system that connects the three iconic wetlands (Pantanal, Iberá Marshes and Paraná Delta). This includes:

  • Developing or updating 13 Ramsar Sites, Biosphere Reserves and protected area management plans that contribute to improved wetland and biodiversity connectivity along the corridor.
  • Gaining recognition of wetlands threats and values in at least ten different governmental plans and policies, with sustainable wetland management at their core.
  • Consolidating livelihoods and capacities to adapt to climate change among 18 community-based organizations and community groups.

More information

See the article(s) below:

The unsung heroes of the Pantanal

When the fires in their territory in the south region of the Pantanal got out of control, a group of 14 young men of the indigenous Kadiwéu community took matters into their own hands. By forming their own fire brigade, they have become true fire fighting heroes.

Empowering Indigenous Governance in Nembi Guasu 

Improving conservation measures

A regional conservation plan for the Guianas Green Coast

Protecting forests in Cerro Castillo National Park

A sustainable future for the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem

Resource Watch

Wetlands without Borders

Conservation of the Gashaka Gumti National Park and its wider landscape

Scientific research for better restoration

Saving the Chocó rainforest in Ecuador

Landscape restoration of indigenous forest in Ghana

Seed-funding for Impact: Catalyzing private investments in ecological restoration

A resilient Zambezi river basin for people and nature

Restoring the Manafwa watershed

Restoring the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve

Communities regreen
the Sahel

Saving the mangroves in Tristao and Kapatchez

Restoration of the Guapiaçu watershed

Supporting landscape-wide restoration of healthy grazing lands

Guardians of the Amazon forest

Ecological restoration of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil

Embedding intelligence-based conservation in Odzala-Kokoua National Park

Safeguarding mangroves along the West and East African coasts

Saving High Andean Wetlands for People and Nature

Rewilding the Gran Chaco

Photocredits
– Traveling in Pantanal © Rose Araujo
– Wetlands in Pantanal © iStock