Salta Province Issues Mining Concessions Within Los Andes Wildlife Reserve Amid Conservation Concerns
The Salta province in Argentina has declared the Los Andes Wildlife Reserve, a crucial habitat for biodiversity, as abandoned amid increasing lithium mining activities. Established in 2018 to protect the area, the reserve has seen 22 mining concessions granted by the provincial government, threatening endangered species like the vicuña and flamingos. The reserve's protection is insufficient, with only one park ranger overseeing its management.
The provincial government of Salta, Argentina, has declared the Los Andes Wildlife Reserve abandoned, allowing for lithium mining expansion within its 14,450 square kilometers. Despite a management plan initiated in 2018 aimed at protecting the reserve, 22 mining concessions have been granted, jeopardizing its biodiversity and indigenous communities. The reserve is home to endangered species, including vicuñas and various flamingos, yet it is only supported by a single park ranger, underscoring the tension between conservation and mining interests.
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