Article Author:
Reuters
LOS YUNGAS — According to Bolivia's decision to open an alternative route to its historic "Road of Death" - a winding dirt road across towering Andean hills known for its deadly cliffs - this An environmental organization that has led to the restoration of local wildlife.
This route was once an important road for heavy trucks connecting the Bolivian capital of La Paz to the country's Amazon rainforest. Between 1999 and 2003, hundreds of Bolivians lost their lives trying to follow the trail.
By 2007, Bolivia had opened other routes, and the original roads were mainly an attraction for cyclists. Not only did it save lives, it also helped nature, according to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Biologist Maria Vizcarra, who participated in the study, said, "When the road was still working, animals were affected by the pollution, noise and dust generated by the vehicles.
WCS set up 35 camera traps along the route and spotted 16 species of mammals and 94 species of wild birds.
"Today, heavy trucks no longer pass this road. This area. biodiversity is returning, and we can see birds like hummingbirds, toucans and parrots,” said WCF biologist Guido Ayala.
Although this road is no longer used by many motorists, the route is still dotted with crosses in memory of those who died on the road.
"It is very nice to have a place close to (the capital) La Paz, about 50 minutes away, where you can come and see nature in a beautiful way," added Ayala. . (Reported by Reuters TV, Los Yungas, Bolivia, edited by Diane Kraft)
