Perú: Reserva Ecológica Inkaterra

Long-Term Conservation Finance through Ecotourism Development

To ensure long-term financial sustainability of ITA’s conservation and community development activities, this project will develop four new ecotourism attractions in the 200 hectares of forest owned by Inka Terra as well as within the 10,000 hectare leased reserve. All of these attractions will be constructed and operated in a manner that avoids significant impacts on the forest. The activities associated with these attractions will fall within the carrying capacity of each part of the forest, which will be determined during the first stage of the forest management planning process and monitored thereafter on an ongoing basis. ⁶

1. 
   Palm Forest Tour: This new attraction will involve establishment of an observation platform, two wooden bridges, and new trails so that visitors may experience the wonders of the “aguajales” (palm swamps). Visitors will be able to observe the rich array of orchids, bromeliads and other species that occupy this highly diverse ecosystem. With experienced guides, they will also learn about its wildlife and ecology.⁷
   

2. 
   Canopy Walk: This new attraction will involve construction of hanging bridges that run through the forest canopy. As such, the canopy walk will give visitors – including tourists, students, local villagers, and researchers – an extraordinary exposure to the upper levels of the forest ecosystem. The hanging bridges will be constructed with technical support from organizations with expertise in this area, such as ACEER, Canopy Access Providers, and/or Green Heart Conservation.
   

3. 
   P
   Figure 10: Example of Canopy Walk
   rimate Rescue Center: This new ecotourism product will give visitors an opportunity to observe seven types of Amazonian monkeys and to learn about the myriad issues facing these species. It will involve establishment of a facility to rehabilitate and reintroduce monkeys that authorities have captured from poachers, or which have been displaced from their original homes due to habitat destruction. In addition to providing an amazing experience for visitors, this facility will help to protect threatened primatological fauna.⁸ It will also provide important research information regarding reintroduction of primates into the wild. Close monitoring will be conducted of the monkeys’ behavior both before and after they are released into the reserve. The Center will be located on Rolín Island, which is found in the middle of the Madre de Dios River, right in front of the IER. It is expected that the Dirección de Capitanías y Guardacostas de la Marina will award a long-term concession for managing this island to ITA.
   

4. 
   Giant Otter Observation Tour: This new attraction will involve contruction of a wooden deck and acquisition of several small boats so that tourists can observe giant river otters. These beautiful animals were previously found in large numbers from Venezuela to northern Argentina. But due to fur hunting and habitat destruction, only an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 exist today, and their range in restricted to pockets of the Amazon basin. The observation tours will be conducted in a manner that is highly respectful of the otters’ ecology and habitat. In fact, a small hut will be constructed to serve as a laboratory, office, and cabin. A biologist will occupy the facility to carry out research and to ensure that there are no impacts on the otters.
   

Education and Training

• 
  A
  Figure 11: Giant River Otters
  wareness-Raising Program for Forest Conservation & Sustainable Use: At least four workshops on forest conservation and sustainable use will be held each year for men, women and youths who come from groups that constitute both threats and opportunities for forest conservation (e.g., colonists, loggers, teachers, unions, public officials).
  

• 
  Ecotourism Training Program: A special training center will be set up for eco-tourist operators and guides from many outfits within Peru. ITA will provide training for eco-guides in conjunction with ACEER, Missouri Botanical Gardens (MOBOT), and San Antonio University. This component will be paid for through co-financing; no GEF funds will be utilized.
  

• 
  Park Ranger Training Program: A park ranger program will be developed in coordination with local villagers as part of their contribution to forest protection. The idea is for local individuals to actively patrol the reserve. Training will be provided by the personnel of INRENA, ACEER and ITA. Specific protocols will be developed for reporting infractions upon the reserve and working with local authorities to address them. The GEF is not asked to contribute funding to this project component.
  

• 
  Mining Campaign: ITA will host a series of roundtable discussions with organizations that have an interest and role in preventing the widespread use of mercury in the Amazon Basin. These organizations will include the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ecological Police, Conservation International, National Environment Council, and others. The roundtable discussions will allow each organizations to share its experience with the small-scale mining sector and its views regarding how to move forward. These events will help to foster concrete plans for addressing the deleterious usage of mercury. In addition, ITA will launch an awareness campaign among local gold miners with the aim of reducing the harmful effects of mining. Courses, workshops, brochures, radio programs and other means of communication will be used to disseminate information about the negative effects of mercury on human health and the environment, and to promote alternatives that reduce impacts. This component will be paid for through co-financing; no GEF funds will be allocated.