The sale of vicuña fiber in 2019 generated income worth nearly US$3 million and benefited the communities based in Peru's interior regions, whose members carry out the sustainable management of this camelid, the
National Forest and Wildlife Service (Serfor) reported on Friday.
During the conference "Successful experiences in the sustainable use of vicuña in Peru," Serfor's Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife Heritage Director-General Miriam Cerdan indicated that about 290 organizations produced more than 10,000 kg of alpaca fiber. Of this total, more than 6,700 kg were exported overseas.
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Vicuña fiber is considered among the finest in the world. Exports provide means of subsistence to the people who are dedicated to this trade, in addition to helping improve their quality of life," Cerdan said.
After affirming that it is a commitment of Serfor to organize a new census, Cerdan stressed the need to sensitize the population about the potential of this species, as well as to protect it from poaching or illegal trafficking.
The Environment Ministry's Biological Diversity Director-General Jose Alvarez also participated in the event. He highlighted Serfor's initiative for sharing the successful experiences of people who are dedicated to the sustainable use of
vicuña fiber.
In this regard, he stated that this South American camelid is a source of wealth for Andean communities and that there must be a commitment from institutions to improve their sustainable management.
Representatives of various vicuña organizations from Cusco, Huancavelica, and Arequipa also participated in the event, in which they presented the models for the implementation of good practices in the capture and shearing of vicuñas, as well as their production processes.
National emblem
The vicuña is a wild camelid that is present in the nation's coat of arms as a symbol of the animal kingdom or native fauna of Peru.
Serfor —as the governing body in matters of wild South American camelids— is in charge of promoting the sustainable management of this species, the access of wild fauna products to national and international markets, as well as of boosting private investment in the sustainable use of them.
(END) NDP/LZD/MVB
Publicado: 18/12/2020