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Forest Table Coordinates Actions to Strengthen Fire Prevention in Mariquina

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Significant progress in fire prevention achieved by the public-private table promoted by the Advisory Council (CADA) of Indap Mariquina and forestry companies was highlighted by the Regional Minister of Agriculture of Los Ríos, Jorge Sánchez Slater, who praised this initiative being replicated in various communes of the Los Ríos region.

This was stated by the Regional Minister after participating in the monthly meeting of this forest table, held at the Indap Los Ríos Mariquina Area and led by the president of this CADA, Aurora Cortez, and the president of the INDAP Regional Advisory Council (CAR), Luis Llanquiman.

"This is a effort led by Conaf, with support from this Ministry and, of course, Indap Los Ríos, allowing us to coordinate actions, invite companies involved in the territory, and engage in dialogue to organize joint actions for the benefit of Small-Scale Family and Indigenous Farming in the region," emphasized Jorge Sánchez.

The president of the Advisory Council thanked the entities that participated in this meeting and explained that "the CADA Table has been established as a consultative body, which is highly important for seeking solutions and supporting our neighbors in the commune."

Aurora Cortez also stressed that "together, we are addressing the contingencies arising after a weather front and also seeking solutions to emergencies that have caused devastation in our commune."

Critical Points

Following the fires recorded in the summer of 2023, the Mariquina CADA formed this forest table with the goal of contributing to the prevention of incidents caused by trees falling on power lines, which damages and harms Small-Scale Family and Indigenous Farming in Los Ríos.

In this context, the public-private body identifies and addresses critical points that could affect public roads and homes, then taking actions such as clearing safety strips.

The regional director of Conaf, Arnoldo Shibar Torres, noted that, as part of its territorial work, the Corporation has supported the meetings of the Mariquina CADA.

"(We are) providing information, developing technical analyses, especially regarding risks associated with forest fires, but also supporting concrete actions related mainly to creating firebreaks, vegetation-free strips, and fuel breaks, carried out by forestry companies and also electrical companies," he specified.

Arnoldo Shibar added, "We have coordinated both instances and are also supporting, in this case, small landowners and the Indigenous communities present in the Mariquina territory."

The meeting was also attended by Mariquina councilwoman Tamara Caifil, representatives of the local municipality, and the forestry companies Arauco, Hancock, and Mininco, along with SAESA.

Additionally, ancestral Mapuche authorities from Paillaco attended the meeting to learn about the experience of this table, with the aim of replicating it in their territory in the future.

Source:Diario de Valdivia