{"id":5589,"date":"2024-10-10T08:40:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T08:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aders-peru.org\/?p=5589"},"modified":"2024-10-10T08:40:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T08:40:39","slug":"the-sentinels-of-the-highlands-cajamarcas-ronderos-mobilize-to-protect-the-284-lagoons-of-alto-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/aders-peru.org\/?p=5589","title":{"rendered":"The Sentinels of the Highlands: Cajamarca\u2019s Ronderos Mobilize to Protect the 284 Lagoons of Alto Per\u00fa"},"content":{"rendered":"

CAJAMARCA, PERU<\/strong> \u2013 In an act of defiant environmental stewardship, the rural patrols known as Ronderos<\/em> from the province of San Pablo and four major river basins in Cajamarca have formalized their commitment to defend their ancestral territory. As of June 2017, these community leaders have taken a solemn oath to serve as the "Guardians of the 284 Lagoons of Alto Per\u00fa," a strategic maneuver designed to preemptively block mining giant Yanacocha from initiating extraction activities in this critical wetland ecosystem.<\/p>\n

This mobilization represents the latest chapter in the long-standing tension between industrial mining interests and the rural populations of the Peruvian Andes, who view water as a sacred, non-negotiable resource.<\/p>\n

\n

The Core Conflict: Why Alto Per\u00fa Matters<\/h2>\n

The Alto Per\u00fa region is not merely a collection of high-altitude lagoons; it is the vital headwater system for the Jequetepeque river basin, supporting agriculture, livestock, and human consumption for thousands of people downstream. For years, the Yanacocha mining project\u2014one of the largest gold mines in South America\u2014has faced intense local opposition. <\/p>\n

The immediate trigger for the June 2017 mobilization was the fear of an impending, controversial ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal (TC). Social organizations allege that the TC was preparing a decision that would grant the mining corporation legal clearance to operate within the delicate wetland zones. Fearing that judicial processes were being compromised by corporate influence, local groups decided that formal guardianship was the only remaining safeguard.<\/p>\n

\n

Chronology of Resistance: From Legal Battles to Civil Action<\/h2>\n

The struggle for Alto Per\u00fa has evolved through several distinct phases, marked by increasing levels of community organization:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • 2012\u20132016 (The Period of Legal Uncertainty):<\/strong> Following the widespread protests surrounding the Conga mining project, local communities in San Pablo and neighboring provinces sought legal protection for their water sources. Despite various environmental impact assessments, the status of the Alto Per\u00fa lagoons remained in a state of legal limbo.<\/li>\n
  • April 2017 (The Allegation of Bias):<\/strong> Reports surfaced suggesting that a magistrate of the Constitutional Tribunal, Jos\u00e9 Luis Sard\u00f3n, had significant professional links to "Reflexi\u00f3n Democr\u00e1tica," an NGO formerly presided over by Roque Benavides, the then-owner of Yanacocha. This sparked a wave of public outcry and allegations of a conflict of interest.<\/li>\n
  • June 2, 2017 (The VIII Yaku Raymi):<\/strong> The Committee for the Conservation and Tourism of the Lagoons of Alto Per\u00fa and Annexes of the Jequetepeque Basin inaugurated the eighth annual Yaku Raymi<\/em> (Water Festival). This celebration served as the stage for the formalizing of the "Guardians."<\/li>\n
  • June 3, 2017 (The Oath of Office):<\/strong> Hundreds of Ronderos<\/em> took an oath to oversee the fiscalization, care, and preservation of the 284 lagoons. The ceremony was designed to mirror the successful protection strategies used by the guardians of the Conga lagoons, establishing a decentralized network of surveillance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n

    Supporting Data: The Ecological and Economic Value<\/h2>\n

    The "284 Lagoons" are not just a symbolic number; they represent a high-altitude peatland ecosystem that acts as a natural sponge, regulating the flow of water throughout the year. <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Hydrological Security:<\/strong> The Jequetepeque and Llaucano basins are lifelines for the agricultural economy of the Cajamarca region. Mining operations in these headwaters carry the inherent risk of acid mine drainage and the destruction of the water table, which would be irreversible.<\/li>\n
    2. The "Ramsar" Demand:<\/strong> The local Committee has formally requested that the Peruvian government recognize the Alto Per\u00fa lagoons as a site under the Ramsar Convention. This international treaty on wetlands would provide a layer of global legal protection, requiring the state to prioritize the conservation of the area over industrial exploitation.<\/li>\n
    3. The Hydrological Observatory Project:<\/strong> Students from Cajamarca have lobbied for the transformation of the region into a "World Hydrological Observatory." The proposal aims to utilize the area for scientific research, sustainable tourism, and education, arguing that the long-term economic value of a healthy ecosystem far outweighs the short-term profits of gold extraction.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n

      Official Responses and Political Pressure<\/h2>\n

      The response from the Ronderos<\/em> and the Committee has been one of uncompromising firmness. The movement has warned that if the Constitutional Tribunal rules in favor of the mining company, they will trigger a "second regional or provincial strike." <\/p>\n

      Furthermore, the Committee has taken the provocative step of declaring the President of the Constitutional Tribunal persona non grata<\/em>. By labeling the court\u2019s potential verdict as "parcializado" (biased), the protesters are challenging the legitimacy of the judicial system itself. <\/p>\n

      \"Ronderos<\/figure>\n

      The mining company, Yanacocha, has historically maintained that its operations comply with Peruvian environmental regulations and that it seeks "social license" through dialogue. However, for the residents of San Pablo, the experience of previous mining projects has created a profound lack of trust. They point to the scarcity and contamination of water in surrounding provinces as evidence of what the future holds if the company expands into Alto Per\u00fa.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Implications: A Looming Social Conflict<\/h2>\n

      The mobilization of the Ronderos<\/em> serves as a stark warning to the Peruvian central government: the "Conga effect" is still very much alive. <\/p>\n

      1. The Erosion of Institutional Trust<\/h3>\n

      When citizens feel that the judicial system is an extension of corporate interests, they are more likely to bypass legal channels and turn to direct action. The decision to form "guardians" is a form of self-governance that replaces state oversight with community enforcement, signaling a collapse in the perceived legitimacy of government institutions.<\/p>\n

      2. Escalation Potential<\/h3>\n

      The organizers have been explicit: a verdict favoring the mine will lead to a "terrible social conflict." Given the history of the region, this is not an idle threat. The 2011\u20132012 protests in Cajamarca resulted in state-of-emergency declarations, loss of life, and a complete cessation of major mining investments. The current mobilization aims to stop such a scenario by preventing the mine from ever breaking ground in the contested zones.<\/p>\n

      3. A Precedent for Biodiversity Protection<\/h3>\n

      The focus on the 284 lagoons represents a shift toward landscape-scale conservation. By organizing across four major river basins (Llaucano, Mara\u00f1\u00f3n, Cajamarquino, and Jequetepeque), the Ronderos<\/em> are creating a cross-provincial network that is difficult for the state to isolate or suppress.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Conclusion: The Sentinel\u2019s Burden<\/h2>\n

      The oath taken in the cold, thin air of Alto Per\u00fa on June 3, 2017, is a reminder that in the high Andes, water is life. The Ronderos<\/em> have positioned themselves as the final barrier between the lagoons and the extractive industry. <\/p>\n

      As the Constitutional Tribunal deliberates, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Cajamarca. For the people of San Pablo, the 284 lagoons are not just resources to be exploited for global gold markets; they are the heritage of their ancestors and the only guarantee of a future for their children. Whether the state chooses to prioritize industrial expansion or the ecological integrity of the Andean highlands remains the defining question for the region\u2019s future stability. <\/p>\n

      For now, the guardians watch, the Yaku Raymi<\/em> continues, and the message remains clear: the water is not for sale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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