GENERAL INFORMATION

• Area: 173.000 acres (70.000 ha)
• Date of Creation: August 9, 1996
• Altitude: 984 — 2.624 ft (300 - 800 m)

In 1992, the International Conservation organization determined the importance of the very humid tropical forest in the Mache — Chindul mountain range. The zone is permanently covered by fog, and is home to the tributaries of many important rivers in the area. The indigenous Chachi communities that reside in the reserve have learned to benefit from its resources without altering the ecosystem. However, lumbering companies, attracted by the abundance of trees, have endangered the zone.