Cajas, located in Ecuadorian Azuay province, is a high-altitude moorland known for its unique paramo ecosystem, teeming with diverse life forms. This area, at over 3,000 meters above sea level, plays a crucial role in moisture absorption, supporting key habitats for endangered species like mountain tapirs and hummingbirds. Despite being designated as a biosphere reserve in 2013, mining companies maintain significant land concessions within Cajas. Environmentalists highlight concerns regarding the impact of mining activities, which threaten the delicate ecological balance and water sources crucial for local communities and ecosystems in the region, including the Amazon.
The paramo is a high-altitude tropical ecosystem in Ecuador that acts as a sponge, absorbing moisture from clouds over 3,000 meters above sea level. The Cajas ecosystem supports life, including endangered mountain tapirs and endemic hummingbirds, amidst high-altitude features like golden grasses and mossy hummocks.
Cajas has protected status, but mining in surrounding areas poses a threat to its unique ecosystems. Environmentalists warn that despite the legal protections, the mining concessions approved cover over 100,000 hectares and include critical parts of the paramo.
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