One Health in the highest plateaux of the Andes with Marka Cololo people, Bolivia
Communities of the Marka Cololo de Antaquila indigenous group live in the Apolobamba Nature Area, located in the highest plateaux of the Andes. The area is characterized by snow-capped peaks, meadows and valleys dominated by natural prairies, grasslands and peat bogs with an abundance of lakes and wetlands. It provides a refuge for the most important population of wild vicuñas in the country and for other Andean fauna including condor and spectacled bear.
The indigenous communities of the Marka Cololo de Antaquila group consider themselves to be part of the Puquina Colla people (Puquina was the secretive language used by the Incas) and they have retained many of their ancient traditions. Women’s livelihood is based on the traditional management of their herds of wild vicuñas and alpacas and commercial trade with inter-Andean valleys.
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Location |
North-West Bolivia Apolobamba Natural Area, Eastern Andes |
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| Threatened Ecosystem and Wildlife |
Mountains, peatlands, lakes and wetlands Most important wild vicuñas population of Bolivia, Andean der, foxes, Andean condor, Andean flamingos |
| Local people | Marka Cololo de Antaquila indigenous people whose livelihood relies on wild vicuñas |
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One Health Challenges |
Malnutrition, loss of vicuñas / diseases & predation, no source of income, loss of environmental knowledge |
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Activities |
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The Challenge:
Women’s livelihood and health have been affected by the degradation of vital habitats resulting in the poor health and productivity of their camelids which are also increasingly killed by wildlife such as pumas, condors, spectacled bears and foxes.
Our Impact:
By supporting the production and marketing of women’s unique woven products and promoting the use of medicinal plants and the veterinary management of domestic animals, while also reducing human-wildlife conflict, we will improve women’s livelihood, wild and domestic animals’ health, and the health of this unique mountainous ecosystem
