Natural Protected Areas

We strengthen the institutions in charge of the National and Regional Protected Areas, and we have supported the struggle against the activities that threaten them.

Protected Natural Areas play a crucial role in the preservation of biodiversity, the mitigation of climate change, the protection of water resources, and the sustainable development of Peru. Until August, 2023, 17.9% of our land space and 7.66% of our marine areas are under this form of conservation.

Protected Natural Areas also have a positive impact on the local and national economy through the generation of jobs, promotion of sustainable tourism and ecosystem services.

However, these areas are facing several threats which endanger their integrity and the effectiveness of their conservation goals. Some of these threats come from illegal activities such as drug trafficking and illegal mining, but there are also others, like infrastructure projects or legislative initiatives that compromise them.

Thus, at the SPDA we are working in the following key actions:

• Providing legal assistance for the establishment and defense of National and Regional Protected Areas that will contribute to preserving prioritized ecosystems.
• Contributing in the design and implementation of provisions to strengthen the management of protected areas, as well as of the conservation systems at national and regional levels.
• Designing mechanisms for the financial sustainability of the Regional Conservation Areas.
• Prompting the design and update of the disciplinary administrative procedures of the System of Natural Areas Protected by the State.

As a result of this work, to the date, we have contributed to protect over 5 million hectares of prioritized ecosystems for conservation. We have also contributed to the creation of the National Service for Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) and the design of the main management instruments. Likewise, we have supported the establishment of different protected natural areas and regional conservation areas. And we have promoted the activation of international mechanisms to prevent the negative impact of regulations, such as Act # 30723, which promotes the construction of roads that will affect at least six protected natural areas.