Community celebrates the recovery of the entrance to Bosque Panul
On Sunday July 9, the second reforestation of 2017 took place, bringing together hundreds of defenders of Bosque Panul. Neighbors have planted nearly a thousand native trees and shrubs at the entrance to the Park — an area that had been heavily eroded due to the severe intervention it has suffered over recent decades. The extensive reforestation carried out to date has managed to reverse this process. Work also began on the recovery of the ravine that was partially destroyed just days earlier by order of the Municipality of La Florida and executed by the Ministry of Public Works.
In 2016, one of the first to feel the impact of the start of the reforestation in Bosque Panul was the event company Alpes MTB. After a decade of profiting by indiscriminately using the forest — eroding it, destroying native vegetation to create new trails, and bringing thousands of cyclists and visitors with no oversight whatsoever — it ultimately withdrew as the community advanced in the recovery of the Parque Comunitario's entrance.
What is happening in the forest is a genuine revolution. With 5 reforestation sessions carried out between last year and this year, nearly a thousand native trees and shrubs have been planted at the park entrance, the first trails have been demarcated, signage has been installed, and the direct entrance has been repaired — all self-managed and without any support from the State.
Work also began on the recovery of the ravine destroyed just days ago, temporarily placing a mesh to prevent access by bicycles and people so it can recover. The community is working on a rescue plan for it.
The access trails to Panul have been marked and differentiated to prevent the constant accidents between hikers and cyclists. Thus, as has occurred naturally, cyclists should use the southern trail at the entrance, and hikers the northern trail. Respecting this demarcation helps reduce damage to the forest and protect those who visit it.
The effort of the thousands of people who love Panul must be reflected in its protection. We have become rooted in the forest through its use, its care, and its reforestation. We believe this is fundamental to halting the real estate interests that still prey on the life not only of Panul, but of the entire Santiago precordillera — interests that no government or municipality has had the courage to protect.
New reforestation events and activities are being planned for early August. We thank everyone for their support, and especially the nurseries Jardín del Camino and Antumapu for the trees they donated.
Red por la Defensa de la Precordillera.
More photos from the event on our facebook
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