General Objectives of the Machu Picchu Program*

The MACHU PICCHU PROGRAM is created with the financing from the renegotiation of the Peruvian debt with the Finland Government, for which, 25% of this amount (US$6,15 millions), is channeled for the integral management of the environment in the HISTORIC SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU (32.592 hectares).

The National Fund for Natural Protected Areas (PROFONANPE) is currently the executor of the assigned activities to the MACHU PICCHU PROGRAM.

The MACHU PICCHU PROGRAM was designed for consolidating the processes already initiated for the conservation of the exceptional rich and diverse natural habitats and for protecting the environment of the HSMP, to increase its contribution towards the regional sustainable development through the execution of  five components, each of them with various activities and projects, that will made up of help together achieve in the long term, the conservation of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu:

• Strengthening the Management Unit and the Management of the Sanctuary: Seeks to consolidate the integral management of the HSMP, with a strengthened Management Unit capable of responding in an efficient way to the mitigation of impacts in the short term, and with possibilities to adapt to the challenges that emerge as the tendencies of the threats change
  
  

• Research for the ecosystem management of the HSMP: Promote processes of research and information management to feed the conservation management of the ecosystems of the HSMP. Besides multiple research and important efforts done, the information still hasn’t contributed to create a body of knowledge about the integral values of the HSMP and not always is available in accessible format when taking  decisions  for the management of environmental problems. The biological research in the HSMP has centered specially in a basic inventory of the biota, and very few times the structure and functions of the ecosystems and its biodiversity. The PMP through the execution of its Component 2 of Research, pretends to contribute in a significant way to the overcoming of the principal problems identified. 
  
  

• Inca Trail Consolidation and development of the Master Plan of the HSMP: Promote the consolidation of the sustainable use of the Inca Trail network and promote the development of the Master Plan of the HSMP. The planning and execution of the infrastructure on the trail have been traditionally the responsibility of the INC. In recent times, the increase on the demand to visit this trail has caused a series of problems that have been the focus of attention of the new management of the Sanctuary. Not only should the network of trails be consolidated through the improvement of  facilities for its public use and enjoyment, but should also be part of the general planning and management of the Sanctuary. The formal planning of the HSMP started with the publishing of the Master Plan in 1998. This plan doesn’t have an Operating Plan. This component pretends to contribute to the development of these instruments of planning already enumerated, through the contributions of the Technical Assistant, which has been supporting the main guidelines identified by the Master Plan, and the priorities are to be determined together with the Management Unit of the Sanctuary.
  
  

•  Social Development of the Rural Sector: Incorporate the rural population in the management of the HSMP, through the increased awareness about the values of the area, the mitigation of environmental impacts caused by the productive activities and the generation of benefits linked to the services provided to visitors and the improvement in the quality of life.
  
  

• Institutional, Social and Environmental Development of the Village of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes): Develop an adequate strategy of social investment that allows to mitigate the negative impact to the environment of the HSMP and train the inhabitants toward the sustainable development for the Village of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes). The Board of Directors of the PMP, as part of the execution strategy of infrastructure works in the village of Machu Picchu decided that PROFONANPE, entity in charge of the execution of the Machu Picchu Program, subscribe an agreement with the Honorable Municipality of Machu Picchu for the financing of these works, established in the international agreements subscribed by the  Plan of Urban Zoning, approved by the Municipality.

*Taken from the Project Document for its ending phase 2000-2002 (PRODOC2) approved in August  2000