Peru creates Tijae–Río Nieva Protected Forest covering 30,000 ha

The Peruvian executive signed Supreme Decree No. 011‑2026‑MINAM, establishing the Tijae–Río Nieva Protected Forest. The new area spans roughly 30,017 ha in the Yungas of Amazonas and San Martín, making it the country's first protected forest designated in 2026 and the seventh forest reserve overall.

The forest safeguards the headwaters of the Río Nieva and other water sources that supply more than 10 000 residents, including Awajún Indigenous communities and rural populations. By preserving these ecosystems, the decree aims to maintain hydrological cycles, capture carbon and reduce vulnerability to extreme climate events.

Biodiversity is high, with SERNANP reporting 618 bird species, 72 mammals, 99 amphibians and reptiles, and over 200 plant species. Notable fauna include the yellow‑tailed choro monkey, Andean night monkey, spectacled bear, pudú armadillo and the big‑bearded marsupial. The protected area also enhances ecological connectivity with the Alto Mayo Forest, the Cordillera de Colán National Sanctuary and several private conservation zones.