Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal Lands, Biosphere reserve in La Paz Department, Bolivia.
Pilón Lajas is a protected area covering approximately 400,000 hectares of humid tropical and subtropical forests mixed with Amazonian plains. The Quiquibey River runs through the territory, creating a landscape with distinct forest zones and diverse habitats.
The reserve was officially recognized as a biosphere reserve and indigenous territory in 1992 through government decree. This recognition marked a significant step in securing land rights for the communities living there.
Several indigenous groups live within the reserve and maintain traditional practices adapted to forest life over many generations. Daily routines here center on hunting, fishing, and farming in ways that have existed for centuries.
Access to the reserve is primarily by river travel along the Beni and Quiquibey waterways, which serve as main transport routes. Road connections link the nearby towns of Palos Blancos, Yucumo, and Rurrenabaque for those approaching by land.
The reserve contains hundreds of plant species, including varieties that grow nowhere else in the world. This diversity of habitats and plant life makes it a remarkable location for nature enthusiasts and scientific study.
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