The Intag Valley: The Defender Of Life

Deep History

"Tropical cloud forests are the terrestrial version of coral reefs. They harbor Earth’s greatest concentration of species diversity on land over an already small and continually decreasing area," states Walter Jetz, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Director of the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change.

The dense ecosystem within the Intag Valley functions on a healthy balance—each living organism lives in a harmonious cycle with each other. From an abundant white flower species that provides nectar to a rare species of bat, to large birds using the robust ground debris to cushion their eggs—every inch of the forest is literally crawling with life, breathing beauty into the world.

In the 1980s, a Belgian government-funded expedition discovered remnants of copper reserves within the soil in the valley. This was when the idea of building a mining site within the valley was raised. Purchasing the land would potentially deter the development of mine sites, while occupied land by locals is more difficult to invade. The only defect is that the government “owns” the minerals underground, even when the land is privately owned.

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Impactful Protection

Carlos Zorilla has been a leader in the fight for the valley's protection for decades now upon his move to Ecuador from Cuba about 40 years ago. With his house and property nestled within the forest, Zorilla has a front-row seat to the incredible wonders that the land offers.

“On many nights, I see something I haven’t seen before. After all these years, I’m still finding new species that I haven’t seen in 20 or 30 years… you get a real sense of the biodiversity of a place when you do something like this,” stated Zorilla.

Back in the 1990s, with the beginning of deforestation and the chats of possible mining development, a spark of conservation started. Zorilla and the local community members started an environmental group called Defensa y Conservación Ecológica de Intag (DECOIN) in 1995. DECOIN has helped communities protect almost 30,000 acres of forest within the buffer zone of the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park, set within 38 small-scale forest reserves. Many of these reserves hold and protect watersheds that provide for thousands of locals.

International environmental organizations helped DECOIN finance and purchase said reserves, giving 37 of the reserves to communities and parish governments in the area. The Intag culture holds high in Ecuador by connecting the people to nature and allowing the environment to bring truth to humanity. The local communities are self-defined administrative units, meaning that each community nominates a leader and integrates their ideas to create agreements that best help the forests. Most agreements include prohibiting the activities of burning, cattle ranching, mining, hunting, cultivating crops, and harvesting transactional goods. They view these actions as disrespectful to the land and the inhabitants within.

Under DECOIN, communities have restored 173 acres of land by planting more than 75,000 trees. They have also kept land restoration in check by monitoring assisted regeneration among the birds and mammals, and keeping cattle and invasive grasses out of the pastures. Assisted regeneration is the spread of seeds into the pastures, giving time for trees and other plants to grow. Since restoration efforts began in the early 2000s, there has been a 3% forest coverage increase.

The Future Of The Valley

The Intag Valley is home to thousands of diverse species, a diverse community, and a strong culture. There are dozens of conservation projects, old and new, that frame the knowledge of that area. The Association of Small Coffee Growers Rio Intag has provided a source of income to many farmers with the production of cacao and coffee, as well as a reason to plant more shade heavy trees for higher efficiency. The Women and the Environment group consists of 50 women that make products out of cabuya, a fiber produced from the agave plant. Group member Norma Bolaños states that they’re proud to contribute to their households and the collectivity has strengthened the community.

As previously mentioned, an endangered species of frogs have been found in the Junin Community Reserve. This gives the communities a strong legal argument for objection. With validation from the updated Ecuadorian Constitution, the first constitution in the world to recognize nature as receiving the rights to exist, thrive, and evolve, the Intag community can build a strong case to save the land. The constitution will cover the right for communities to defend lands and wildlife as they see fit.

Young conservationist leader Cenaida Guachagmira was born into the resistance and has shaped her life around fighting for her land’s protection. According to Guachagmira, the younger generation has gained enormous interest and knowledge in environmental protection. Local communities and organizations still stay optimistic that their efforts will push out the unwanted destruction. These establishments need funding in order to continue on with land and forest purchases, campaigns, and restoration projects. From local business efforts, organization funding, governmental assistance, and educating outsiders on the land, gives the communities the extra foundation they need to succeed.

“We are here with the conviction and vision of knowing that we are doing good for humanity, knowing that we are taking care of the water and rivers, for our children… that is what sustains us. Money is an important part, but also willpower. If we have lasted 25 years, it has not been only for money,” stated Guachagmira.