Peru's plan to reduce the Nazca line park awakens environmental concerns

Peru's plan to reduce the Nazca line park awakens environmental concerns

The decision Peru, the archaeological park, which houses the famous Nazca lines to reduce about 42 %-this corresponds to an area of ​​around 1,400 soccer fields-has triggered concern for nature conservationists, archaeologists and environmental defense lawyers.

The effects of the decision

Critics of the measure fear that it paves the way for illegal mining activities and that decades undermine cultural and ecological protective measures. The government, on the other hand, argues that the adaptation is based on updated scientific knowledge and that the UNESCO World Heritals or the basic protective measures of the location are not at risk.

votes the environmentalist

"The reduction not only removes protective measures - it does exactly where extractactive activities are expanding," said Mariano Castro, the former Environment Minister Peru. He added that the decision could cause "very serious risks and cumulative damage" because it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims.

Castro also pointed out that the protective measures for the archaeological legacy are already restricted during the formalization of the small mining. "This is intensified by the failure of the Ministry of Culture to take into account the cumulative effects of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones," he said.

UNESCO and the protection status

The affected area is part of an UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site that the Nazca lines-massive geoglyphs, which were etched into the desert thousands ago-and one of the most fragile desert ecosystems Peru. The UNESCO informed the Associated Press news agency that the Peruvian authorities did not inform you about changes in the limits of the World Heritage Site that are crucial for its protection. The organization will request further information from the authorities.

reactions of environmental experts

The Peruvian environmental and césar Ipenza, who followed the decision, reported that the resolution has already been approved and reduces the Nazca area by more than 1,000 hectares. "This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protection measures," said Ipenza. "The state should comply with its obligations from international agreements and not give in private interests."

he and other critics emphasize that the decision reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold graves. "There is an alliance between the current government and the informal mining sectors," he added. "The legal framework will continue to be loosened to use them."

opinion of the Ministry of Culture

The Peruvian Ministry of Culture, which decided on May 30, decided to reduce the Nazca reserve from around 5,600 square kilometers to around 3,200 square kilometers, refused to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, a press release was sent in which it was explained that the adaptation to updated archaeological studies is based and that the UNESCO World Heritage Status or the buffer zone did not affect.

illegal mining activities in the area of ​​influence

The Ministry emphasized that it feels obliged to protect the cultural heritage of the location by regulated measures. One day after the decision of May 30, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia admitted that illegal mining activities take place in the reserve. "Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity in the area, but the measure we have taken does not mean that it is promoted or that the likelihood of damage caused by informal mining is increasing. This will not happen," said Valencia in one of the greatest radio programs Peru, Rpp.

When he was asked for further details about the presence of illegal activities in the reserve, Valencia said: "There are some mining deposits, but I have no precise information about the type of minerals."

legal situation and future prospects

Castro, the former minister, warned that the decision could violate Peru's own laws. "It contradicts Article 5 (h) of the law on environmental impact assessments that prescribe the protection of archaeological and historical heritage," he said. Ipenza added that the government enabled illegal practices under the pretext of technical adjustments.

"It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heir and to disguise decisions that benefit the sectors who want to enforce illegal ones, such as illegal and informal mining," he said. "This decision benefits these groups and harms all Peruvians."