San Jose del Boqueron is situated north of Santiago del Estero,
270 km from the capital of the province and 1300 km from Buenos Aires. It covers
an area of 3600 square km and has a very low population density. Its 7500
inhabitants live in 96 small villages.
The climate of the region is subtropical with a dry or semi-dry
period. The average summer temperatures are around 40 degrees. The rain period
lasts from November till March and the rainfalls do not surpass 200 mm a year.
Maximum daily temperatures in the winter are 20 degrees. Nights are very cold
with occasional strong frosts in July and September.
The Chaco forest, tall and sealed, with deep and naturally
fertile soil originally covered the area. The indiscriminate tree felling
radically changed the situation. The irrational forest exploitation accomplished
without any reforestation policy not only decreased considerably the richness of
the timber, but also caused serious damage to the ecosystem. Increased water
evaporation accelerated erosions of the soil. Invasion of new plant species such
as “vinal” make the regeneration of the principal ones difficult. Absence of the
trees leave the soil exposed to the sun, which often speeds up creation of
deserts.
ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION
None of the roads that lead to the closest capital cities of the
province, Santiago del Estero and Tucuman, are paved, which makes the area
difficult to access. Gravel that was placed on the main road during the past few
years was soon destroyed by lack of maintenance and unfavourable climate
conditions. Smaller internal paths need to be maintained permanently by the
local people, who cut the vegetation to eliminate the invasion of the
impenetrable and thorny forest. Large extensions of sand and saltpetre soil
cause flooding of the paths in the period of rainfalls as well as a thick layer
of dust during the draught. These conditions make the roads impassable;
therefore the population is often left completely isolated. To pass the great
distances separating them from the outside world, locals walk, use carriages
pulled by animals or, lately, bicycles.
Public transport operates between San Jose del Boqueron and
Villa Nueva Esperanza (75 km) three days a week. The nearest petrol station is
there, therefore it is necessary to travel 150 km there and back only to get
fuel.
WATER
There is no drinking water in the area. The principal provider
of the element is river Salado. Reduction of its flow that lasts for most of the
year further complicates the situation. Populations living close to the river
search for water and transport it under precarious conditions, but there are
many others, located 60 km away. Tanks and dams represent the only possibility,
the scarce summer rains, however, do not allow to gather sufficient supplies of
water for the rest of the year. Dams, containing stagnant water, are also used
by animals; therefore, the contamination by the second layer of brackish water
containing elevated percentage of arsenic is inevitable. At the end of autumn
water from the dam is a mixture of greenish color harmful to human health, in
which frogs and all classes of microorganisms multiply.
To find water and conserve it are the main tasks of the locals.
Possession of water means better health, cultivation of plants, produce of
bricks and breeding of animals.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PARISH
Although there was never any governmental support, with help
from people that have good will, various projects were realized.
At San Jose del Boqueron and some other settlements close to the
river, water outlets coming from the river could have been accomplished. But the
Parish is extensive; some places are situated up to 60 km from the river Salado.
During the past few years, tanks were constructed and various perforations were
realized to improve the situation of local people. Every single perforation,
however, brings on a load of difficulties. To obtain quality water, it is
necessary to reach depths of more than 90 meters with drills operated by hand
because of lack of electricity. Afterwards, the installation of motors and
watermills is needed. Materials often need to be transported by more or less
impassable roads. But every task that is successfully accomplished brings
enormous happiness to the population. Water provides possibility of a more
dignified life as well as means of subsistence: vegetable farming and raising of
animals for the families. With this in mind, an irrigation canal 27 km long and
2,6 meters deep was constructed manually, with a pick and pole. Fathers of 26
families were building it for tree months. The canal allowed the neighbors to
plan the irrigation of their vegetable gardens without having to depend fully on
the summer rains.
