7 Communities Respond to Glacier Loss in Peru

Dear donors,
We are pleased to share with you a new report from our project "7 communities respond to glacier loss in Peru". During this reporting period (March-May 2024), the team has dedicated its efforts to coordinating actions to advance our glacier loss response project in Peru. Despite limitations in field activities, significant progress has been made in planning and managing future initiatives.

In previous reports, we have been able to share that significant progress has been made in the restoration of irrigation canals in the communities of Miraflores and Carania in the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve. These efforts lay a solid foundation for future interventions on the ground.

We have also established a valuable partnership with Dr. Kevin Lane, an affiliate member of Instituto de Montaña, for the formulation of a proposal for the restoration of an ancestral dam in Ancash -crucial for water storage in the region-. This proposal was submitted to the Watch 2025, a World Monuments Fund programme that links local heritage conservation with global awareness and local action, in order to gain support for its restoration and ensure a stable water supply for the community's agricultural activities.

It's worth noting that modern dams often experience frequent failures, either due to their vulnerability to earthquakes or their susceptibility to freezing, resulting in their failure, -sometimes as early as one year after construction-. On the other hand, ancestral dams that have been in operation for more than 500 years continue to function, albeit partially.

That is why recently, we met with specialists from the World Monuments Fund Peru office to present the proposal and share the progress made in the restoration of ancestral dams in the Ancash region. During this meeting, we highlighted the use of geospatial methods to identify and verify the viability of these structures, demonstrating our commitment to innovative and effective approaches.

Dr. Kevin Lane is currently on the ground, assessing and prioritising the ancestral dams to be intervened with the available funds. This work, which will begin in June 2024, represents a crucial step towards protecting water resources and strengthening the resilience of local communities in the face of climate change.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support to our project and commit to continue to report on our progress in future reports.

Dear Donors,

We are excited to share the progress and impact of the "Restauración de Tecnologías Ancestrales de Manejo del Agua" (Restoration of Ancestral Water Management Technologies) project, also known as RETAMA. This initiative, spearheaded by the Instituto de Montaña and generously funded by you, aims to support highland communities in addressing the loss of glaciers due to climate change. RETAMA is a group of seven highland communities, each possessing ancient water management infrastructure and ancestral customs. Two communities are situated in Ancash, and five are nestled in the Lima highlands.

In previous reports (III, IV, and V), we documented the inventory and operational status of ancestral water management infrastructures in the rural communities of Pamparomas and Tupac Yupanqui in the Ancash region, as well as Carania and Miraflores in the Lima region.

The current provides a detailed account of the activities conducted in the Carania Community, located in the Lima region. The primary objective was the rehabilitation and optimal functioning of the Anta canal, which plays a crucial role in providing irrigation water to the fields and Andean crops during dry periods, sustaining the Caranian families' livelihoods.

1. Rehabilitation of Ancestral Irrigation Canal, Reservoir, and Dam:

The local authorities and technical team from the Instituto de Montaña conducted an inspection of the current state of the Anta Ancestral Canal intake. During this on-site visit, it was observed that the irrigation water intake structure was deteriorating, causing water infiltration and leakage. Additionally, there were landslides, sand mounds, and vegetation hindering the normal flow of irrigation water.

Through coordinated efforts between Carania's community leaders, members of the community, the Irrigation Water Users Board, and technical support from the Instituto de Montaña, the reconstruction and lining project for 45 meters of the Anta Ancestral Canal intake was successfully completed. This initiative also involved the crucial tasks of stone clearing, sand extraction, and vegetation removal along a 1.5 km stretch of the canal.

2. Local Ancestral Knowledge and its Role in Climate-Resilient Water Management:

In coordination meetings with local authorities and during canal reconstruction and maintenance activities, there was a shared acknowledgment of the socio-cultural and environmental significance of ancestral water structures. These structures play a vital role in sustaining the Andean population's way of life amidst a climate crisis.

Mayor Saúl, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ancestral canals in the face of climate change effects, stated, "It is crucial to preserve our ancestral canals as Carania continues to prepare for the diverse impacts of climate change."

We express our deepest gratitude to all of our donors for supporting RETAMA, enabling us to make a positive impact on these communities. Your continued support is instrumental in fostering sustainable solutions for adapting to climate change in the highlands.