The law of protected natural areas (ANP) specifies: “They are spaces of the national territory, both terrestrial and marine, recognized by the Political Constitution of Peru and legally protected to conserve biological diversity, cultural, landscape and scientific values that contribute to a constant and sustainable development of the country ”. In other words, they are places that possess potential that deserves their preservation in order to take advantage of it for the benefit of the population.
So, let's avoid looking at them as untouchable scenarios far from the possibility of meeting the needs of local communities established since ancient times. Its importance is linked to meeting its most basic survival requirements through climate regulation, watershed protection, biological control, care of the species' habitat, maintenance of biodiversity, a significant source of food and subsistence, extraction of wild resources, genetic and medicinal possibilities, coastal protection, among others.
Peru has 158 ANPs that cover 16.93 percent of the national surface and make up the National System of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sinanpe) made up of 77 of national administration, 15 of regional conservation and 66 of private conservation.
The first was the Lechuza Cave National Reserve (Huánuco, 1950), erected on the initiative of the Nature Protection Committee - led by engineer José Barreda Ramos - with an extension of 100 meters. Then it would be incorporated into the Tingo María National Park. Years later, the Cutervo National Park (Cajamarca, 1961) was formed, on a perimeter of 2,500 hectares, at the initiative of the biologist and parliamentarian Salomón Vílchez Murga.
Shortly thereafter, the First World Conference of National Parks was held in Washington (1962) - sponsored by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) - with the participation of 70 countries. Its significance has been invaluable due to the encouragement provided for the formation of ANP. As a result, the IUCN Latin American Committee of National Parks was established.
In 1963 the Forest and Hunting Service of the Agriculture sector was created to evaluate, organize and manage the ANP. Its first director was the engineer Flavio Bazán Peralta. Subsequently, in 1964, the Board of National and Zonal Parks (Parnaz) - within the Ministry of Public Works and Development - was established under the leadership of conservationist Felipe Benavides Barreda.
The following year he arrived in our homeland, invited by the President of Parnaz, the British biologist and hero of the Second World War, Ian Grimwood, with the intention of studying wild specimens and analyzing the feasibility of promoting the creation of ANP. This renowned expert spent two years touring the country. In his documented report entitled "Recommendations for the conservation of wildlife and the establishment of national parks and reserves in Peru", he formulates an exhaustive analysis of our fauna and flora, including the formation of ANP considering its future scientific and tourist utility.
Thanks to Benavides' vision, links were forged with IUCN and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with the aim of carrying out the required evaluations and channeling the pertinent help to make new ANPs. The scarce state resources were supplied by foreign technical and economic collaboration. In this sense, the Association for the Defense of Nature (Prodena), the only national private entity to integrate the international directory of the WWF and the oldest environmental group in our environment, did a commendable job.
Thus, it was possible to carry out the foundation of the Pampa Galeras National Reserve (1967), the Manu National Park (1973), the Cerros de Amotape National Park (1975), the Paracas National Reserve (1975), etc. During the military period (1968 - 1980) ANP were instituted for supposing, among other motivations, excellent instruments to encourage icons of nationalist sentiments that coincide with the ideology of the de facto regime. The ANP "boom" reached its peak in that decade.
It should be emphasized, once again, that the ANP should be directed to the direct and indirect exploitation of their natural resources in order to contribute to development. Therefore, profitability should be considered in government plans. Its integrity and intangibility must be coordinated at a multisectoral level to overcome the continuous wear and tear of its fragile ecosystem as a result of inappropriate human action.
A visible case occurs in the Paracas National Reserve, whose 335 thousand hectares are exposed to irresponsible invasions of its wide deserts. Its demarcation is not complied with, the logistical means are non-existent to prevent competitors from breaking into prohibited places and, finally, the state has scarcely limited personnel assigned to its surveillance. Its immense extension is exposed to countless activities harmful to its protection.
Within this context, its Buffer Zone determined in its Master Plan is not respected either and that “they are those neighboring or adjacent areas to the ANP that, due to their nature and location, require special treatment to guarantee the conservation of the protected area”. In these areas you can encourage ecotourism, concession services, recover habitat, etc. The actions to be carried out must have an Environmental Impact Study (EIA). However, it is unlikely what happened in this vulnerable coastal strip.
It is necessary to provide the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) - attached to the Ministry of the Environment - with greater support in order to fully comply with its powers. This organism has the mission of supporting the permanence of the ANP in its capacity as the governing body of Sinanpe. I suggest consolidating its institutional and regulatory framework, which undoubtedly demands management capacity and unequivocal political will.
We require turning ANPs into an example of sustainability. It is urgent to agree on objectives and strategies and, furthermore, to emphasize their contribution to improving the quality of life for Peruvians today and tomorrow. Let us always keep in mind the words of renowned Canadian naturalist, photographer and writer Sylvia Dolson: “Nature is inexhaustibly sustainable if we take care of it. It is our universal responsibility to pass a healthy land to future generations. ”
(*) Teacher, conservationist, consultant on environmental issues, member of the Instituto Vida and former president of the Board of Trustees of Parque de Las Leyendas - Felipe Benavides Barreda.
