Recovering and Preserving
The recovery and conservation of water resources is an inescapable issue, if we are to inherit a sustainable environment for our children and our children.
Alfaro Ruiz is the eleventh canton in the province of Alajuela, Costa Rica, located about seventy-five kilometers from the capital, with an average elevation of 1800 meters above sea level, cold weather and two well-defined seasons: winter and summer.
Although the municipality of the canton has one of the lowest budgets in the country, a commitment was established in 1997 to materialize the preservation of several sites in critical condition. The climatic, geological and hydrological characteristics of its highlands, the heavy rains, the configuration of the relief, the network of drains and the properties of lithologies, make the ground suitable for water infiltration and underground hydrodynamic flow. For this reason, it was a work of high priority to connect the high parts of the territory with the protected wilderness areas.
When speaking of average height of the protected areas it is necessary to stress that its plateau ranges between 2,200 and 2,300 meters above sea level, so by achieving the goal of restoring and protecting this area and the consequent increase in water flow, not only will it benefit the residents of the canton, but also the surrounding human settlements. Some of them are located in major cities and areas of production, coincidentally positioned below the protected areas. It is therefore necessary that the cantons of Naranjo, Grecia, Palmares, Valverde Vega, San Ramon and San Carlos, among others, are taken as part of this zone of influence, which implies a combined population of over 250,000 people.
The task has not been easy, since these territories are not included within protected areas or national parks. Hence the need to redouble efforts to acquire at least 1,000 hectares and conserve them.
The challenge has been undertaken by most of the 12,000 inhabitants of Alfaro Ruiz, primarily farmers, ranchers, housewives, students and professionals who have not hesitated to provide their input. To date they have acquired over 500 hectares and are still in the race to meet the intended goal. It should be noted that the titanic task, the idea, effort and contribution has been communal, lately with some government support and so far none internationally.
But we cannot talk about the recovery of water as a standalone issue. It is also indispensable to implement a biological corridor that would allow the continuation of natural life. Studies show the existence of a unique biodiversity, comprising more than 60 species of mammals, 37 varieties of reptiles, 32 kinds of amphibians, over 6,300 anthropods, 327 woody plants, 3524 non-woody plants, 469 kinds of orchids. In addition, it is estimated that in these forests there are over 100 species of trees per hectare and each tree has at least 200 different species of living things associated with it.
The high rate of biodiversity located in the highlands of Alfaro Ruiz, with many species threatened or endangered, reflects the urgent need to protect these areas. When the water shortages, when the jaguar ceases to be a natural predator, when the quetzal stop displaying his extraordinary plumage... it will be too late to take action. The aid is urgent. The time is now, and you can help.