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BARITÚ NATIONAL
PARK
Province of Salta
In
NW Salta province this park covers an area of 72,439 ha . It was created
in 1974 and protects a sample of cloudforests which are virtually untouched
because of the inaccessibility of the park and its relief which hindered
logging.
NATURAL
ASPECTS
The park is
walled in between natural bastions rising to some 2000m elevation such
as Las Pavas and Cerro Negro. It is drained by rivers such as the Lipeo
in the north flowing into the Bermejo which is the northern border, and
the Porongal and Pescado in the south.. This is the northernmost park
with Yungas vegetation here enriched by the presence of tree ferns and
the enormous fig, Ficus maroma. This last is one of the strangler figs
which germinate on high in the fork of a host tree, sends roots groundwards
and once established envelops the trunk on which it grows to "strangle"
the host and replace it. When the dead tree rots away the fig is left
with a chimney-like hollow interior, a refuge for many species of fauna
such as bats. In the park the salta Cedrella so very valuable for its
timber, grows to an enormous size. At elevations around the 800m elevation
and where it is more humid grow stands of myrtaceous trees of various
species. The basal transition forests are composed of tipas (Tipuaria
tipa), Enterolobium, jacarandas and others. Because of its relatively
low relief there are no Polylepis woods nor upland grasslands in the park.
The fauna of the park is the typical fauna expected in Yungas and numbers
several species which are threatened such as the jaguar which survives
in such isolated areas as is this park, and the much smaller but more
beautiful ocelot. Tapirs leave their tracks all over the area; peccaries,
the crab-eating fox, agoutis, ameri-mundis and the capuchin monkey are
also here. On the streams and rivers where pools are crowded with fish
such as the boga and sabalos, otters and the south american racoon are
denizens. The rufous-throated dipper is to be seen in this habitat and
the crested oropendola, which builds its colony of nests overhanging an
open area. Here too at dusk can be seen the fishing bat skimming the water
in search of small fish . There is an endemic frog to be found on the
slopes.
ACCESS
Really off
the beaten track and far from any road, Baritú is a difficult destination.
From Oran along route 50 one reaches Aguas Blancas. From here there is
a dirt track some 34 km long which approaches the southern border of the
park. To reach Lipeo and the village of Baritú - both on the western
side of the park - one has to cross over into Bolivia at Aguas Blancas
and skirt the Bermejo as far as La Maroma where one fords the river to
reenter Argentina. Thence along through Los Candados to Los Toldos where
the ranger in charge lives. Thence to reach Lipeo and Baritú -
both incipient hamlets with scattered houses and tiny populations, only
four-wheel drive vehicles are feasible, or on foot or horseback.
OF
INTEREST TO THE VISITOR
There are
absolutely no facilities of any kind in the park (or near it). It is therefore
recommended that information should be sought from National Parks Information
service (Tel: 4311-0303 in Buenos Aires) before attempting any expedition.
Thanks to APN - Administración
de Parques Nacionales
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