La Reserva de Biosfera del Noroeste-Amotape-Manglares abarcaba hasta hoy los territorios del Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape (Tumbes), la Reserva Nacional de Tumbes y el Coto de Caza El Angolo (Piura), en una extensión total de 235,827.99 hectáreas.
Gran Pajaten became the fifth biosphere reserve in Peru after the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program of UNESCO added 20 sites to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves during its March 18-19 meeting in Lima.
The said reserve is located in the north-eastern area of the country and contains Amazonas, La Libertad and San Martin departments, Peru's Environment Ministry informed.
Deputy Minister for Strategic Development of Natural Resources Gabriel Quijandria welcomed this recognition and stressed Gran Pajaten Biosphere Reserve's concrete objectives will be jointly developed by authorities and local associations.
Gran Pajaten has become the first South American Biosphere Reserve to have a joint natural and cultural World Heritage Site, given that it has Rio Abiseo National Park (San Martin) as its nucleus zone.
Located in the Central Andes, the biosphere reserve is characterized by high altitudes and a pristine ecosystem.
The reserve is home to fauna and flora of rainforests characteristic of this part of the Andes and has a high level of endemism.
Gran Pajaten also lends its name to an archaeological site in the Andean cloud forests of Peru, which provides insight into pre-Inca society.
Over 170,000 people live in the biosphere reserve whose main economic activities are agriculture, livestock and mining.
The extension of the Noroeste Amotapes – Manglares biosphere reserve was also approved during the conclave. It now includes the Tumbes Mangroves National Sanctuary.
The said reserve, off the northern coast of Peru was designated in 1977 under the name of Noroeste Bisophere Reserve. Its extension covers a surface area of 1,115,947ha.
(END) NDP/LZD/AVV/RMB
Published: 3/20/2016