Millions of cloud trees are being planted in the Andes

Millions of cloud trees are being planted in the Andes

The ancient mountains of the Andes are home to spectacled bears, pumas and the majestic Andean condor. They are also home to forests of the lesser-known but all-important Polylepis, also known as “cloud trees.” These trees grow up to 5,000 meters above sea level and are the highest trees in the world. They are known for absorbing and storing water from clouds and the melting glaciers of the Andes. They slowly release this water through the spongy moss that covers their trunks, feeding the mountain streams and ultimately the headwaters of the Amazon.

Threats to Polylepis Forests

Polylepis forests used to extend over large areas of the mountains. Today, after centuries of deforestation and development, only 500,000 hectares left what appreciated 1% to 10% of the original forest. As a result, ecosystems have suffered and forests no longer provide natural protection against flooding or erosion. The water supply for the millions of people who live in the foothills of the Andes is also at risk.

Constantino Aucca Chutas and his commitment

Constantino Aucca Chutas, a Peruvian biologist and great-grandson of farmers from the indigenous Quechua community, felt an obligation to protect his homeland and the people who live there. “I am proud to be a descendant of the Incas,” he tells CNN. "As a child, I grew up near rivers and enjoyed all the fascinating creatures and great nature. I thought it would be fantastic if we could pass this on to new generations."

In 2018, he founded the “Acción Andina” initiative together with the US non-profit organization Global Forest Generation and the Peruvian non-profit organization Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos. This initiative works to restore upland forests and protect local communities. The work initially began in Peru but has now expanded to Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia, with the goal of protecting and restoring one million hectares of native Andean forest by 2045.

The meaning of Pachamama

The Incas, who ruled the Andes from the 15th to 16th centuries, worshiped “Pachamama,” or “Mother Earth.” Aucca Chutas explains that a deep understanding of nature was ingrained in the culture, with animals such as the condor, puma and snake representing heaven, earth and the underworld. “In the Inca culture, they respect rivers, mountains and the environment,” he says. “They lived in harmony with nature, and that is what we must learn and practice.”

Collaboration with the community

To realize his vision, Aucca Chutas' commitment also flows into the Queuña Raymi, a tree growth festival celebrated annually in the valleys surrounding Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes. The festival begins with ritual dances and music in honor of Pachamama. All generations, young and old, wear bright traditional clothing on this occasion and carry bundles of Polylepis seedlings on their backs as they climb up the mountain.

In previous years, the community has planted up to 100,000 trees in a single day. These plants come from a propagation method that uses root cuttings. Aucca Chutas emphasizes the importance of planting only local species, as Polylepis trees vary from region to region and at different altitudes.

A role model for global environmental protection

The initiative has been recognized worldwide as a model for community-based conservation projects. In 2024, Acción Andina received the Earthshot Prize by Prince William in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. In 2022, Aucca Chutas was declared a “ Champion of the Earth “This community-led restoration is an example of how people and communities can come together to help nature, create jobs and promote conservation worldwide,” said Elizabeth Mrema, deputy executive director of the UN Environment Program, in an email to CNN.

“The benefits of Polylepis forests for nature are enormous,” she added. “They prevent soil erosion, capture moisture and store rainwater with the help of their lichens, mosses and other accompanying plants, playing an essential role in water supply along with wetlands.” These magical trees are worth protecting and to achieve this, Aucca Chutas believes a community approach is crucial. “It’s the only way conservation can be successful,” he says. “The preservation and protection of Mother Earth is a responsibility for all of us.”