The celebration of protected areas day in Latin America and the Caribbean (October the 17th) reminds us of its importance as a conservation mechanism for ecosystems, biological diversity, ecosystem services and other associated values. The protected natural areas (ANP) conserve 15% of terrestrial and freshwater environments and 7% of seas globally.
Cristina López Wong. Law, Environment and Natural Resources.
The global goals for the conservation of biological diversity by 2020 (Aichi Goals) have not been met, about 25% of animal and plant species are threatened and one million species are in danger of extinction (IPBES). In December 2022, new commitments have been made in the Kumning-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to 2030, the fulfillment of which will require urgent measures from countries to guarantee the conservation of at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and of marine and coastal zones, through systems of protected areas and other conservation measures based on ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably managed areas, including indigenous and traditional territories (goal 3).
In Peru, the 246 existing ANPs conserve a land and marine surface of approximately 29 million hectares. They face strong extractive pressures (deforestation, hunting, illegal mining, road infrastructure, illegal logging, pollution, among others), with additional risks associated with the climate crisis (OECD), which put the provision of food resources at risk. water, health and other means of life of the population.
Added to this are the initiatives to modify the Peruvian environmental legal and institutional framework promoted by PERUPETRO, MINEM, Congress and private sector actors to promote hydrocarbons in ANP, which would negatively impact the maintenance of the benefits provided by the ANP. DAR and other civil society organizations warned about the risks of the process of promoting 31 new lots of hydrocarbons in areas with high environmental and social vulnerability, as they overlap with indigenous territories, such as the Madre de Dios Indigenous Reserve (which protects Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact – PIACI) and ANP, such as the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, co-managed with the Harakbut, Yine and Matsiguenka indigenous peoples.
Furthermore, if such an initiative to modify the Law of Protected Natural Areas is approved, the protection of the ANPs would be strongly weakened, by allowing the commercial use of renewable and non-renewable resources in ANPs for indirect use, the ones with the highest protection in the country. and characterized by their environmental fragility, such as National Parks (such as Manu NP), National Sanctuaries (such as SN Megantoni) and Historical Sanctuaries (such as SH Machupicchu).
It is also important to highlight that public financing for the management of the ANP, at different levels of government, continues to be insufficient and reflects a low priority on the public agenda. For example, the draft Law for the public budget for the year 2024 allocates only 1.8% of the national general budget to the environmental function. Despite the fact that the recommendations of the OECD and the Comptroller of the Republic in relation to the conservation of biological diversity and the ANP, include the increase of resources dedicated to the conservation of ecosystems and their associated functions. In this way, the contribution of the ANP to the goals of adaptation to climate change can also be ensured, through the restoration of ecosystems and ancestral practices articulated with conservation measures, surveillance and control against threats, as well as permanent monitoring.
Therefore, the Government must comply with its national and international commitments and not promote and endorse proposed regulations that would weaken the protection of the ANP, sources of life for the present and future generations of Peru and the world.
[PUBLIRREPORTAJE]
Source: Larepublica
Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
