The conservation of protected natural areas is one of the priorities of the Government, the
Ministry of Environment (Minam) said, noting that —for this reason— various actions are being promoted and implemented to that end.
In this sense, the Minam stated that, among other interventions to guarantee the conservation of biodiversity, the Action Plan —updated from the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2021— has been prepared to contribute to the closure of gaps related to the conservation of threatened species.
Moreover, it mentioned that the contest "Entrepreneurs by Nature" was launched with a prize fund of S/718,000 (about US$180,356), through the Program for Conservation and Sustainable Development (Procodes) of the State-run
National Service for Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp) —a body attached to the Minam.
The ministry explained that the aim is to promote and implement undertakings for the sustainable use of natural resources in protected natural areas, which contribute to their conservation and generate local economic development.
Environmental protection and indigenous peoples
Regarding Bill No. 06486-2020, which was approved by a Congress plenary session and declares the Pucallpa-Cruzeiro do Sul highway of public interest, the Minam remarked that this type of initiatives —based on the development of this road project— would have an impact on the Sierra del Divisor National Park and the Territorial Reserve of Isonahua.
In this sense, the Law on National Protected Areas (No. 26834) and the Law for the Protection of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact (No. 28736) imposes a series of restrictions and bans on the implementation of this type of road projects in said territories.
Such prohibitions are due to the impact that these projects generate on ecosystems and their conservation goals, as well as the real risk to the physical integrity of indigenous peoples in a situation of isolation and initial contact living in the Isconahua Indigenous Reserve.
On the basis of the above, the implementation of the aforementioned project could contravene the legislation on protected natural areas and indigenous peoples, which is why the Minam will take the necessary steps until Congress reconsiders its decision, so that legislative initiatives can incorporate standards and safeguards to avoid risks to the country's natural and cultural heritage.
(END) NDP/JCB/MAO/RMB
Published: 6/24/2021