Vast Stretch of the Amazon Gets the Protection It Needs

A significant conservation milestone has been reached with the creation of the Río Negro Protected Area, officially established by the Municipality of Nueva Esperanza in northern Bolivia.

“The Río Negro Protected Area shows how local governments and Indigenous communities can lead the way in protecting the Amazon’s natural and cultural heritage,” said a representative from Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA, which supported the initiative.

The designation secures a vast Amazonian landscape and marks a decisive step toward protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities. Spanning more than 209,000 hectares of tropical forests, rivers, and savannas, Río Negro is home to jaguars, giant otters, and the Bolivian river dolphin, along with valuable tree species like mahogany and açaí palm. The land also preserves ancient petroglyphs and megalithic formations tied to Indigenous cultures. Built on community-led planning and local governance, the new area offers a model where conservation, food security, and sustainable growth work hand in hand — ensuring that the Amazon’s natural and cultural wealth endures for generations.