Ñacuñán Reserve

Ñacuñán Reserve is located 180 km away from Mendoza City, to the east of the province, in the southern area of the department of Santa Rosa.

In 1961, it was included in the Biosphere World Reserve network with the purpose of protecting around 12,600 hectares of "algarrobo" (carob) native woodland. This area is in process of recovery from the indiscriminate felling that occurred from the beginning of the XX century to 1937, a time when “algarrobo” was used to produce firewood and coal for the railway industry.

The area was inhabited in ancient times by nomadic hunters and collectors, probably the Mapuches, who were displaced by a military campaign -the so called "Conquista del Desierto"-, in 1879. This was meant to subdue the native peoples and conquer the territories of La Pampa and Eastern Patagonia.

At present, the village of Ñacuñán, a settlement that includes 78 inhabitants and 20 dwellings, is located within the limits of the reserve.

Ñacuñán is an area that has two types of soil: sandy areas where “algarrobos” and “chañares” grow, and clayey grounds that give life to “jarillares” (local bushes). A large diversity of fauna can be seen: pumas, “pichis”, “vizcachas”, grey foxes, ferrets, skunks, and wildcats among others. A variety of birds will amaze you: “sietecuchillos”, “diucas”, “chingolos” (rufous-collared sparrow), skylarks, “canasteros” and three different types of woodpeckers.

When visiting Ñacuñan, it is necessary to remember that this is an important flora and fauna reserve, so as to generate the least possible environmental impact.