Cavers Mailing List     № 389

Danger in the most important caves of Argentina

Автор: Mario A. Pettersen
Дата: 14 Sep 1996

Danger in the most important caves of Argentina

The Cuchillo Cura System has the most important caves of the country
and their ecosystem is in danger because the mining works in this area
started again. This work could destroy the natural life and the cultural
inheritance.
The Cuchillo Cura system are located in the Provincia del NeuquИn near
Las Lajas city and they have been researched by argentine and foreign
scientists who discover subterranean fauna (troglobios) for the first
time in Argentina. These are endemic species and are being studied at
the present time. It's remarkable the archeological interest for rupestrian
paints and lithic and ceramical material. There are also surveys works
in hidrogeology and climatology. Up to the moment it has been measured
more than 4500metres of galleries.
The principal works were made in the Cuchillo Cura Project headed by the
Grupo Espeleologico Argentino since 1982. We may emphasize the Environmental
Impact Study, and the Natural Reserve Area proposal. In this studies we
exposed the potencial risks of the mining works on the caves and the
uncontrolled tourism.
In 1989 the Neuquen Government resolved to protect the caves with the
Decreto Provincial Nro. 0026/89 declaring them as public interest and
restricting the mining works in the risk areas.
NEVERTHELESS, ON SEPTEMBER 10 ARRIVED TO THE SITE MANY HARD MACHINES
AND BEGAN TO TAKE OUT MARBLE BLOCKS WITH EXPLOSIVES.
The Grupo EspeleolСgico LajeЯo, the Las Lajas community and the municipal
authorities intensified their campaign in order to protect the caves and
stop the mining works.
The Grupo Espeleologico Argentino has requested to the state authorities
the fulfillment of the actual Law and reglamentations (Law #24585 for
environmental protection to mining).
The fine balance of the Cuchillo Cura ecosystem urge us to act inmediatly
before the unreversible damage on the environment were made.

For those who want to participate in defense of this ecosystem, please
ask for more information to:
Grupo EspeleolСgico Argentino
Estudio y ConservaciСn de Cavidades Naturales y Artificiales
CORRESPONDENCIA: Casilla de Correo 232
                 Sucursal 3
                 1403 Buenos Aires
                 Argentina
Headquarter: Heredia 426
             Buenos Aires
Tel: 54-1-552-1716 / 0981
Fax 54-1-3425437 / 3348964
E-Mail:



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