Reserva biológica Colonso Chalupas, Protected area in Archidona and Tena, Ecuador.
Reserva biológica Colonso Chalupas is a protected area spanning around 93,000 hectares across the eastern Andes between Archidona and Tena. It covers various elevation zones from lowland forests near 280 meters to highland regions exceeding 4,400 meters, containing multiple distinct ecosystems.
The reserve was established in 2014 by the Ministry of Environment to protect the upper Amazon basin ecosystems. This designation marked a key conservation effort for these mountain forest regions.
The Kichwa and mestizo communities near the reserve boundaries participate in agricultural activities while maintaining natural resource conservation practices.
The area lies about 25 kilometers from Tena and is accessed via the Muyuna-Comunidad de Atacapi road heading toward the Colonso River. Several entry points allow visitors to explore different sections and elevation zones.
The area contains more than 40 documented edible fruit species that local communities rely on. Some of the oldest trees here exceed 400 years of age and shape the forest structure.
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