UNESCO has formally designated the Cinchona forests of Ecuador and Peru as a World Heritage site, citing their exceptional importance to global medicinal history and indigenous knowledge. These "fever tree" forests were the original source of quinine, which revolutionized the treatment of malaria and significantly impacted global trade and exploration.
The designated area includes ancient harvesting trails used by the Loxa people and early botanical research stations established in the 18th century. The inscription highlights the need to preserve both the genetic diversity of the trees and the traditional ecological knowledge associated with their management, which is currently threatened by climate-driven habitat loss.