The Conservation Binational Corridor: An Initiative for Protected Areas.

Peru has taken a decisive step in its effort to preserve its biological and natural resource diversity by creating, together with the sister Republic of Bolivia, the Vilcabamba-Amboró binational corridor.

Located in the tropical Andes, this corridor includes the world’s most diverse and complex biological reserve, as well as a rich mix of cultures and civilizations of approximately 25 million people who are members of its 165 ethnic nations.  The corridor spreads over 33 million hectares.  On the Peruvian side, the protected areas include the Manu and Bahuaja – Sonene national parks, the Machu  Historical Sanctuary and the Tambopata National Reserve.  Additionally, the Apurimac, Alto Purús, Manu and Amarakaere reserve zones.  On the Bolivian side, the Madidi, Cotapata, Isibore, Secure, Carrazco and Amboró protected areas lie within the corridor, as well as the comprehensive management natural area and biosphere reserve of  Apolabamba and the Pilon-Lajas reserve.  The conservation corridor idea has grown over time. Originally  proposed in the field of conservation biology, it has now become by definition a territorial matrix or mosaic of land uses connecting portions of  the natural forest through an uninterrupted landscape. Other concepts, including that of "biological corridor” that have become part of the debate in the last two decades fuel discussion whether protected areas should fill a social function while managing pressures leading to their decline, or if they should be conceived as isolated forts to protect nature.  President Toledo has already expressed his willingness to support this corridor by including in it the Manu reserved zone and with other neighboring areas create a community reserve for the benefit of local populations who would thus see their conservation options largely expanded.  The present “corridor” principle acknowledges that protected areas should be part of more comprehensive schemes for territorial development and management, where they will perform a pivotal role as providers of environmental services. From this viewpoint, corridors will not only seek to connect fragments of pristine nature but also create a system to organize the land around protected areas where conservation and productive use can be reconciled.  While the scientific community continues its conceptual debate over the essence and goals of the  corridor, the Peruvian government has already given its support to the protected areas.  In this regard, INRENA (Peru) and SERNAP (Bolivia) promote the corridor concept sponsored by domestic and international entities, among which Conservation International should be underscored.

The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) reports about 30,000 variously-sized protected areas around the world.  Together they spread over 12.8 million square kilometers or 9.5% of the planet’s land mass.

The corridor creates another link between Peru, Bolivia its Andean sister country.

The Machu Picchu Institute (IMAPI) is developing a Public Awareness Program for the preservation of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary located in the context of the Binatinal Conservation Corridor,  with the support of Conservation International.