Machiguenga Communal Reserve occupies the middle part of the eastern side of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Photo: Heinz Plenge.
The task of conserving our protected natural areas (PNA) requires the implementation of appropriate strategies and conditions to manage our natural heritage. Sernanp’s technical and administrative team will now have a space to facilitate their work, develop their skills and provide assistance to the local population, thus enabling them to achieve an optimal level of management.
Therefore, in compliance with the commitments of the Peru’s Natural Heritage Initiative (PdP), which seeks to provide sustainability to the enabling conditions for effective management of Amazonian PNAs, and with the technical and financial support of the project “Securing the Future of Peru’s PNAs” or GEF6-PdP, the purchase of the administrative headquarters for the Machiguenga Communal Reserve and the Megantoni National Sanctuary, both located in the Cusco region, was completed.
This important acquisition will bring a great number of benefits to the personnel and users of the PNAs, such as, beneficial spaces for the development of activities, space for coordination with safety for workers, protection of work equipment and vehicles, socialization of management, attention to local partners, and joint construction of conservation strategies. Previously, renting a space generated risks such as loss or deterioration of documentation and equipment, due to constant moves, states Erick Zamalloa, head of the Megantoni National Sanctuary.
Megantoni National Sanctuary, located in the province of La Convención in the department of Cuzco. Photo: Oscar Mujica.
One of the greatest benefits is the reduction of operating expenses for rent, which will allow better planning for the annual budget. This will make it possible to program activities such as maintenance of other infrastructure, environmental education with educational institutions in the Buffer Zone and/or adjacent areas, among others.
On the other hand, it will strengthen ties and allow for greater participation and articulation between the PNAs and the communities, institutions, and companies. It will provide a safe space for dialogue for the management of protected areas with local communities, in particular with the Contract Executor of the Machiguenga Communal Reserve (ECA Maeni), which represents 14 indigenous communities, a rural settlement and 3 indigenous organizations, who co-manage with Sernanp. In this sense, the new facility will be a key strategic point for the organization of various activities that are crucial for the management of protected areas, such as monitoring, surveillance, control, and participatory management.
Pursuing financial sustainability
In 2019, the Ministry of Environment of Peru and the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) with the support of Profonanpe, the Peruvian Environmental Fund, designed “Peru’s Natural Heritage” (PdP), an innovative initiative that seeks to contribute to the protection forever of the best of Peruvian nature, through the articulation of donations from international cooperation, government funding, income from tourism and economic mechanisms with private enterprise and citizens.
To learn more about the initiative and how we can contribute to the conservation of PNAs click here.
