Image of Laguna Grande, showing passive restoration activities

The track from El Peñón to Volcán Galán runs along the eastern shore of Laguna Grande, and has now been re-routed over the middle section to a distance of 200 m from the lake shore. Signs have been placed at three points: 1) at the site of the future control post, 2) in the re-routed section of the track, and 3) at the viewpoint of Peñas de Gaudí.

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Laguna Grande is one of 20 wetlands making up the Ramsar site of “Lagunas Altoandinas y Puneñas de Catamarca”. The saline wetland, located at 4300 m above sea level, hosts up to 19,000 Puna Flamingos Phoenicoparrus jamesi each summer, representing almost 18% of its global population and also acts as a regular nesting site for the species. Other species present include Andean Flamingo Phoenicoparrus andinus, Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis, and Neotropical migratory shorebirds, such as Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii and Wilson’s Phalarope Steganopus tricolor.

Due to its spectacular landscape, Laguna Grande is a tourist destination for 4x4 vehicles; however, the activity lacks regulation and has directly affected waterbirds, especially the nesting of Puna Flamingos and Puna Plover Charadrius alticola. This pressure is further exacerbated by off-roading competitions and rallies, in particular, the last six editions of the Dakar Rally in South America, which have crossed the Puna ecosystem of Catamarca.

Priority activities to facilitate the passive restoration of the Laguna Grande sector were focused on:

1. Re-routing the track from El Peñón to Volcán Galán to the west, thus leaving a minimum distance of 200 m from the lake shore.
2. Installation of informative and educational signage on the track from El Peñón to Volcán Galán, from the entrance to Laguna Grande to the viewpoint at Peñas de Gaudí. By providing suitable information, the three sign stations have become stopping points for visitors, thus avoiding the dispersion of tourists along the lengths of the shore in more fragile areas. Although evidence of this change in use is anecdotal to date, it has been surprising to see that visitors to Laguna Grande are already sharing photos of the signs, in addition to the wetland and the flamingos. The old track, passing close to the lake, is still used by some tourists, and remaining changes in behaviour will also depend upon a greater presence of park wardens in the area.

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