Last Saturday, November 26, more than two thousand people learned about the importance of conserving Protected Natural Areas (ANP) and ways to contribute to them at the +Amazonía Festival, which was held at the Manuel Bonilla stadium in Miraflores, in Lima.
The event, which aimed to raise awareness about the conservation of our ANPs, brought together more than 25 entrepreneurs from different regions of the country with the Aliado por la Conservación brand. They offered products derived from cocoa, coffee and honey; and others such as sangre de grado and blueberry shampoo, non-medicated soaps based on aguaje; crafts and textiles.
Cindy Vergel, manager of the Natural Heritage Initiative of Peru – Sernanp, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurs having the “Aliado por la Conservación” brand. “This brand certifies producers who make sustainable practices and who work hand in hand with the Protected Natural Areas. They benefit in a sustainable way from the use of resources and contribute to the conservation of the areas”, she indicated.
The space also had informative workshops for children and adults on the importance of the ANP, the work of the indigenous communities of our country, among other topics. Likewise, spaces were created for attendees to contribute voluntarily to the ANPs, such as the “yapesazo por la Amazonía” and the collaboration modules. The party was in charge of Vasco Madueño, Sucumbion, Elegante y La Imperial and the renowned band Los Mirlos.
The +Amazonía Festival was organized by the Ministry of the Environment, Sernanp, Profonanpe, the environmental fund of Peru, and the Municipality of Miraflores; with the participation of WWF, Yunkawasi, Conservamos por Naturaleza (SPDA), Conservación Internacional, UNDP, USAID, among others, and with funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The importance of raising awareness about PNAs
Peru has more than 250 Protected Natural Areas, of which 76 are under national administration and cover more than 29 million hectares, equivalent to 18% of the entire national terrestrial territory and 7% of the national marine environment. They are living spaces that house a wide variety of plant and animal species, as well as natural resources.
The responsible use of ANPs contributes to economic development and the generation of employment opportunities, decent work and are a source of food security for vulnerable populations, without losing autonomy over their ancestral territories. This model generates leadership, co-management, economic growth, innovation and autonomy in the country’s rural populations.
So far in 2022, the responsible use of resources in the ANPs has generated more than 7 million soles in income for the benefit of more than 1,800 families nationwide. This is possible through the signing of 227 contracts and agreements for the use of resources such as coffee, cocoa, honey, Amazonian fruits, among others.
Citizens can continue contributing to Protected Natural Areas by entering Perú por Naturaleza.
