10:57 | Cusco, Jun. 20 (ANDINA).
Authorities in the Peruvian region of Cusco have banned commercial helicopter flights to or from the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and the surrounding 125 square miles (323 square kilometers), according to a regional ordinance published on Saturday.
The Regional Government of Cusco said that, as a state-run institution, it is responsible for fostering the conservation of biological diversity and protected natural areas.
Local wildlife organizations have been pushing for several years to ban commercial helicopter flights to the Inca citadel because they affect species such as spectacled bears, vicunas, guanacos and birds.
Regional authorities also mentioned that the noise of helicopter rotors affects habitat for the red-plumed Andean cock of the rock.
“Once a site is declared world's cultural or natural heritage, the country commits to preserving it, which is why commercial flights must be banned,” authorities said.
In 1981, Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary, covering an area of 35 5920 ha. to conserve both the archaeological site and its natural surroundings.
In 1983, UNESCO listed the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu as a World Heritage Site, which places it as one of the most important natural or cultural sites on earth.
On July 7th, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of New Open World Corporation's New Seven Wonders of the World.
(END) VVS/RGG/RMB
Publicado: 19/6/2010