Protected natural areas in Peru have so far been toured by roughly one million domestic visitors this year, of whom a major figure corresponds to bird watchers, according to the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp).
Sernanp’s National Coordinator, Arturo Cornejo, stressed birdwatching tourism has been promoted by the Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry (Mincetur) within country and abroad.
“There are growing number of people who are practicing this activity known as birding, for instance there are more guides specialized in the different ecosystems of Peru and a sustainable increase of visitors to the protected natural has been recorded,” the official said.
In this regard, he said that protected areas such as the Tumbes National Park Piura Amotape hillss are ideal scenarios for the practice of this activity; that's why they were chosen for a coming observation contest.
He added that natural areas in the country have enormous potential for tourism and now wants to introduce birding to the general population, "because it is a misconception that this activity requires a lot of knowledge of the ornithology," Cornejo.
So far, there have been three editions of the Big Day, a birding championship. The first one was held in the Manu National Park, in November 2013, where competitors were able to observe 186 species.
The following editions have been carried out this year in Arequipa and Tingo Maria, were participants recorded 140 bird species and 188 bird species, respectively.
The fourth is set to be held in Tumbes and Amotape Hills National Park, located in Piura.
(END) JCR/MAO/LOG
Published: 9/1/2014