Mountain Partnership

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Bolivia

Nearly 40% of Bolivian territory is mountainous and 62% of the country's population lives in these regions. Extreme poverty and food insecurity is a major problem in Bolivia, particularly at higher altitudes where 60% of the mountain population lives at subsistence level. These mountain regions have long been neglected; in some areas communication infrastructures are poor, water is scarce, natural resources are under pressure and, as a consequence, the stability of ecosystems is under threat. There is considerable migration from mountain areas to the lowlands and cities.

Bolivia was committed to the International Year of Mountains (2002) and its messages from its outset. A strong national committee was formed both to organize events to mark the Year and to evaluate the social and environmental situation in the country's mountain areas. This initial work highlighted some of the major problems in Bolivian mountain areas: in addition to poverty and the mismanagement of natural resources, there is an absence of any kind of social and economic support for mountain communities. It became apparent that rivers and lakes have been contaminated far beyond acceptable levels by mining and industry, and there is now a general recognition that policies on watershed management are urgently required.

The Bolivian Mountain Institute (BMI) is a La Paz based non-profit organization founded during the International Year of Mountains (2002). In accordance with the UN Agenda 21, BMI’s mission is to contribute to a sustainable development of mountain regions in Bolivia by means of scientific investigation, capacity building and technical assistance, exchange of experience and the implementation of projects.

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