The Norte Grande is possibly the most diverse and heterogeneous region of Argentina. Eight ecoregions, two thirds of the country’s biodiversity, 10 clearly contrasting productive systems, 20 ethnic groups of indigenous peoples, wetlands, rivers, mountains, great plains, 10 provinces.
Crossing this diversity of landscapes on foot from west to east is undoubtedly a great challenge, which will allow us to deepen our knowledge of the region, a deeper approach to its inhabitants, particularly those from more remote and inaccessible areas. A challenge also to physical effort, resistance, and above all persistence, with one objective: to show the Norte Grande region like no one else has done so far.
An institutional project of ProYungas, many wills at stake, a lot of coordination and the expectation of coordinated teamwork that surpasses the sectoral visions that each one naturally possesses.
During the almost 3,000 kilometers that this journey will involve, there will undoubtedly be difficult moments, perhaps distressing, but sublime moments of contact with nature and with human groups with whom we can interact and deepen a bond are also expected… What do you think, How do they live in the present, how do they imagine the future, how do they fit into a changing world and in regions so distant from the centers where many of the decisions that end up affecting them are made?
It is shocking at times to think about what realities we will encounter, what synergies we will motivate along such a long journey, where we will walk more than half of the route and travel the rest by canoe along large and imposing rivers (San Francisco, Bermejo, Paraguay). Routes, roads, trails and rivers that we will travel for more than 100 days.
From the town of Susques in the Altiplano of Jujuy, to the Iguazú Falls in Misiones, from the mining heights to the herbal and forestry industry, from the taciturn Atacama communities to the jungle and transhumant Guaraníes.
During these 25 years of institutional history of ProYungas, we have permanently traveled through these territories, but with other dynamics and urgencies, contributing to solving problems that are often temporary, helping to make visible these territories, their people, their productions, their nature. During this institutional history we are clear that the Norte Grande has much more to offer the country, its development and its inclusion in the world, as a country that generates products, but that does so by empowering its people and preserving nature. We have many situations to improve, there is a relevant path to follow, but there is also a lot done to value.
I hope that this Journey, which will take us four months to complete, finds us personally and institutionally strengthened at the end. That we can have a clearer, more profound idea about where it is worth continuing. A Journey that empowers us, unites us and gives us enough clues to develop a virtuous path, where Society, production and nature meet, to plan and carry out a region that offers the country its full potential with responsibility, looking to the long term.
Personally, as president of ProYungas, this journey will imply a turning point in my own life, a critical look at what is worth doing and how to do it. A turning point towards the last stage in life that I will have to go through.
President ProYungas. Iberá Wetlands, Corrientes
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
