“This river was not contaminated before, it was clear and full of fish, when people began to live in the margins, everything changed”.
Andes Agua Amazonía
Despite being different, the Andes mountains and the Amazon forests are part of the same system: the water rises in the mountains, travels thousands of miles and flood plains feeding the planet’s most biodiverse forests. Decision makers, leaders, and many times, the inhabitants of the Amazon basin, not consider or know this relationship. Natural resources are used causing impact on ecosystems and people that depend on them, either upstream or downstream. A problem that affects from small communities to large cities in countries that share the Amazon waters. Andes Water Amazon project is a joint effort of various organizations to communicate the features, beauty and fragility of an important natural system for everyone. Use resources such as photos, videos, stories and reports to unveil what themes and protagonists in this vast environment full of life and culture.Embora diferentes, as montanhas andinas e as florestas amazônicas são parte de um mesmo sistema: a água nascida nos cumes percorre milhares de quilomêtros e inunda as planícies alimentando as matas mais biodiversas do planeta. O projeto Andes Água Amazônia é um esforço conjunto de diversas organizações para comunicar as peculiaridades, belezas e fragilidades de um sistema natural importante para todo o mundo. Utiliza recursos como fotos, vídeos, crônicas e reportagens para desvendar quais são os temas e seus protagonistas neste imenso ambiente cheio de vida e cultura.Pese a ser diferentes, las montañas andinas y los bosques amazónicos son parte de un mismo sistema: el agua que nasce en las cumbres, recorre miles de kilómetros e inunda las planicies alimentando las selvas más biodiversas del planeta. El proyecto Andes Agua Amazonía es un esfuerzo conjunto de diversas organizaciones para comunicar las peculiaridades, bellezas y fragilidades de un sistema natural importante para todo el mundo. Utiliza recursos como fotos, videos, crónicas y reportajes para desvendar cuáles son los temas y sus protagonistas en este inmenso ambiente lleno de vida y cultura.
The Páramo of the Virgin, the highest part of the road Quito – Amazon
The Paramo of the Virgin is the highest point (4,000 meters) of the road east of the country. Is one of the main water reservoirs of Quito.
The encounter of Papallacta and Quijos rivers
The Papallacta River waters (left) supply the great river Quijos, named for ancient pre-Columbian inhabitants of the region.
Papallacta, strategic place
Despite being a strategic place to contain reserves of drinking water for Quito, Papallacta does not have a adequate system for wastewater treatment.
“Water is a crucial basis for Baños”
For the inhabitants of Baños, the appearance of the Virgin of Agua Santa is the reason for miraculous waters that attract tourists from around the world.
“During these years we have achieved a very nice friendship with nature”
The Mantle of the Bride makes a couple living 20 years in the region not to abandon their dreams and projects.
“The river is eating away the land”
Fermin and Cristina, in Arapicos have problems with the lack of drinking water and river pollution.
“This peace is not found elsewhere”
Germanico Montenegro, from the Puerto Mirador the Amazon tells how river gives life and peace.
Luis Tobar: Thankfully, the little water there is always enough
Luis Tobar tells his life story in Papallacta, where “there is always the little water.”
Paute, from the cold moors of Cajas to the power source
We are on the course from the cold moors of Cajas River to Paute River.