The Governments of Peru and Bolivia have signed a 10-year agreement on bilateral protective policies aimed at preserving Lake Titicaca, seriously threatened by pollution, with an investment of up to US$500 million.
The accord was signed in La Paz by Bolivia’s Environment and Water Minister Alexandra Moreira and Peru’s Environment Minister Manuel Pulgar, under the name “Guidelines and Actions Aimed at Environmental Restoration of Lake Titicaca and its Biodiversity.”
The document materializes commitments contained in the Esteves Declaration adopted by Presidents Evo Morales (Bolivia) and Ollanta Humala (Peru) in June last year.
Lake Titicaca — the world's largest fresh water lake located on border of both countries at 4000 meters above sea level— is polluted by domestic and industrial wastewater and impacted by climate change.
According to Moreira, the bilateral agreement focuses on reducing environmental pressures, implementing awareness activities, contributing to restoring lake’s environment and biodiversity, and strengthening the binational comprehensive environmental management.
The first stage of investment (US$63 million) will focus on solid waste management and sewage systems of towns around the lake, so that the organic pollution issue can be resolved immediately.
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Published: 1/8/2016