Butterfly and tropical plant domes, other upgrades planned for botanical gardens; Cuenca protesters demand land use changes; IMF boosts loan amount
Big changes are planned for Cuenca’s botanical gardens, located at the confluence of the Yanuncay and Tarqui rivers.
Work begins this month on a climate-controlled tropical plant dome that will display what biologists describe as the “full range of Amazon and lowland flora” native to Ecuador.
Other works to be completed this year and in 2026 include a butterfly dome and new irrigation and lighting systems. Also planned for 2026 and 2027 is an expansion of the gardens on city owned property on the Tarqui River.
Among the changes planned for Cuenca’s botanical gardens are the addition of new walkways and repairs to existing ones.
According to Carlos Orellana, director of the city’s Environmental Management Commission, the changes will enhance the overall appeal of the gardens and will allow night-time tours. “The park is already popular but the additions and upgrades will appeal to a larger portion of the population,” he said, adding that butterfly houses and tropical plant collections have a high level of public appeal.
In addition to city funding, the projects are supported by grants from the international Blumberg Foundation and the University of Azuay.
Other upgrades planned for the gardens include new walkways along the rivers, Orellana says. “The river sides are currently off limits to visitors due to safety concern. Improvements will be made to allow access since the river systems are a central theme of the park.”
Luis Mario Moscoso, president of the Austro College of Biologists, is working with the city on the upgrades. “The idea is not only to increase the number of visits to the gardens but to ensure its educational value and its scientific authenticity,” he said. “The goal, ultimately, is to make the gardens one of best facilities of its kind in South America.”
Cuenca land use protests could continue
Residents of rural areas of Cuenca are demanding changes to land use and taxation ordinances. “We have been treated unfairly for years and it is time for the city to hear our complaints and make the necessary changes,” says Eloy Gutama, an organizer of protest marches on Calle Simon Bolivar on Thursday and Friday. “We are asking to open a dialog with the city on our issues but so far we have received little response.”
Among protester demands are the elimination of the city’s Controls, Sanctions and Land Use ordinance, which limits building in low-density areas, and representation on the Territorial Planning Council.
One group of rural residents insists that they not be charged taxes that benefit urban areas of Cuenca but not rural areas.
Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora agrees that changes are necessary but says the range of demands must be narrowed. “Some people want to build housing developments, some want to build houses on very small lots and others don’t want to pay taxes,” he says. “Before we can make any changes, we must define the key issues. Otherwise, we have chaos.”
Gutama says all complaints should be discussed and says protests will continue until “satisfactory resolutions are achieved.”
IMF increases loan
The International Monetary Fund said Thursday it will loan Ecuador an additional $1 billion. The new agreement will increase IMF disbursements through 2026 from $4 billion to $5 billion.
The IMF said the increase recognizes Ecuador’s “internal and external” challenges. “The country is making economic progress on a number of fronts as it continues to fight trans-national criminal organizations,” the fund said in a statement. “We recognize the progress the country has made and support its efforts.”
