Peru will strengthen conservation of various marine and coastal protected areas thanks to a €10-million contribution by the German Government, Environment Minister Elsa Galarza announced on Tuesday.
The donation became official through an agreement inked with Germany's KfW Development Bank.
The arrangement is aimed at implementing the third stage of Natural Protected Areas (PAN III) program, comprised in the Inca nation's Project for the Conservation of Peru's Marine and Coastal Protected Areas.
In this sense, the donation will serve to improve the management of San Fernando National Reserve, Illescas Reserved Zone, as well as the Guano Islands, Islets and Capes National Reserve.
The latter encompasses Don Martin Islet, Punta Salinas Cape, plus islands Pescadores, Cavinzas, Asia, Chincha, Ballestas, Punta San Juan and Punta Coles. The overall surface spans 333,002.42 hectares.
Sustainable harnessing
The 5-year initiative also seeks to promote conservation agreements with the local population to guarantee the sustainable use of hydro-biological resources.
Sustainability and technical execution of the program will fall under Sernanp with the support of the Peruvian Trust Fund for National Parks and Protected Areas (Profonanpe).
"Effective conservation of natural protected areas demands financing to develop the necessary actions and infrastructure works to generate value, as well as to provide sustainability to these zones while actively engaging the community," Galarza pointed out.
Similarly, the program aims to boost responsible tourism, thus increasing revenue to guarantee the sustainability of these protected areas.
In this respect, Galarza stressed Germany's contribution will facilitate the implementation of basic infrastructure and proper signaling to ensure the areas provide pleasant, eco-friendly leisure spaces.
"[…] our aim is that the 16% of the national territory comprising the Natural Protected Areas System be truly preserved by the [Independence] Bicentennial in 2021," she expressed.
"And, above all, [we want] citizens living in said areas, as well as those who want to visit and enjoy these landscapes, to be able to do so in an environmentally friendly manner," she added.
50 years of German cooperation
On the other hand, German Ambassador to Peru Jörg Ranau expressed his government's readiness to support the Inca nation —one of the world's most biodiverse countries— in preserving its natural resources.
Likewise, the diplomat highlighted the contribution coincides with the 50th anniversary of Germany’s engagement in this cause.
Since 1967, the European country has contributed €65 million for the sustainable use of natural resources in Peru.
Ambassador Ranau also underlined the highly successful and fruitful collaboration with its strategic partners: Environment Ministry, Sernanp and Profonanpe.
Lastly, he shared his homeland's commitment to continue supporting Peru's sustainable development strategy, as well as conservation of its biodiversity.
Signing of the agreement also featured KfW Peru Office Director Christian Garve and Profonanpe President Alberto Paniagua.
(END) LZD/MAO/DHT/MVB