Agreement signed in Ecuador to protect the Galapagos Islands

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador, the Fund for the Environment, the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the local Jocotoco Foundation signed an agreement this Thursday with the aim of guaranteeing the protection and strengthening of protected areas in the Galapagos islands.

In this sense, the agreement called “Strengthening of the protected areas of Galapagos, through adequate control and surveillance of the Marine Reserve and the Ecological Restoration of Floreana Island” urges the population to safeguard the biodiversity of the regions, as well such as the well-being of the people who reside in the areas and depend on ecosystem services.

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“We have an insular region that is characterized by its marine and terrestrial biological wealth, which is the basis for achieving harmonious development between human beings and nature, guaranteeing the livelihoods of our population, which depends entirely on the health of the ecosystems,” indicated the Minister of the Environment of Ecuador, Gustavo Manrique.

According to the signing authorities, the project will be implemented for five years, and has a financial contribution of US$1.94 million for the execution of strategies aimed at eliminating rodents, eradicating introduced vertebrates, and other species that do not belong to the island.

In this sense, the organizations specified that these actions will allow the restoration of ecosystems, will generate new jobs; as well as the renovation of infrastructures for productive and sustainable activities, which will be beneficial for the inhabitants of Galapagos.

“This commitment will allow us to begin sustained work to protect marine fauna. This project joins a long list of CAF investments and activities over 20 years in Galapagos,” stressed CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz.