Leyda Rimarachín and a life dedicated to forest care

Born in Cajamarca, but at a very young age, Leyda Rimarachín (40) moved with her family to a land in Bagua Grande, Amazonas, now known as the “Bosque Berlín.” Since 2013, this area has been recognized by the Ministry of the Environment (Minam) as a Private Conservation Area (ACP), in a collaborative effort with the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA). Today, this cloud forest is part of the list of destinations where the conservation of resources, flora, and fauna is promoted, under the initiative Conservamos por Naturaleza.

Leyda is a biologist, and along with her parents, she works to protect various species inhabiting the “Bosque Berlín,” with a special focus on the yellow-tailed monkey, a species listed as one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world. To ensure the protection of its habitat, Rimarachín leads a strategy that involves local children and surrounding communities. This incredible conservation work, which she inherited from her parents, earned her the Carlos Ponce del Prado Conservation Award in 2013, in the Outstanding Young Conservationist category, granted by the Minam.

As Leyda herself shares, the process to obtain ACP status was quite challenging. It began in 2008, but the State had many objections. After several years of struggle and with the support of SPDA, the recognition was finally achieved. The current property houses a small hydroelectric power plant, along with livestock, chickens, guinea pigs, and crops such as corn, potatoes, beans, pallares, sweet potatoes, and cassava. It also serves as a site for producing yogurt and cheese, which are consumed by the Rimarachín family.

However, the place is also a tourist paradise. Leyda mentions that the “Bosque Berlín” receives over 300 visitors a year and is growing as a tourism alternative in the Amazonas region. A three-day package is offered, including lodging, guided tours, meals, and other services, while maintaining a vision of sustainable tourism. Visitors are amazed to see how this ACP shelters monkeys that were isolated due to deforestation affecting various areas of the Peruvian Amazon.

Leyda Rimarachín encourages other families from her region and throughout Peru to believe in their dreams and their love for the forest and nature. In a country as biodiverse as ours, this work should undoubtedly be replicated and supported by the State. Issues such as indiscriminate logging, deforestation, and the mafias threatening our forests require the involvement of all, and will always have the support of conservation-focused programs, such as Conservamos por Naturaleza from SPDA, and actors like Leyda.