Sangay National Park

a) Poaching,

b) Illegal livestock grazing,

c) Encroachment along the Park's perimeter,

d) Unplanned road construction. 

Total amount provided to the property: USD 80,000

The World Heritage Centre received a draft report from the State Party in Spanish in response to the World Heritage Committee Decision 30 COM 7B.30. No final version of this report has been received. The report focuses on advances in the implementation of the updated management plan for Sangay National Park, with particular attention on land tenure and economic development alternatives for communities in the property’s buffer zone.

Nine new park conservation officers have been hired by the management authority in the past year, with support from a project financed by Gordon and Betty Moore. This project will also provide financing in 2007 for the construction of five monitoring stations, the acquisition and maintenance costs of four vehicles along with basic conservation officer field equipment, and radio communication equipment, the latter provided following an in-depth analysis of communication needs. Upgrading of signage and existing monitoring stations has also been carried out, with the support of the Peruvian National Environment Fund.

An analysis of environmental changes in a 24,000 hectare quadrant along the Guamote-Macas road area (most of which is near, but outside of the property), from 1987-2003 was carried out with support from the United Nations Foundation financed Enhancing our Heritage project. (administered by the World Heritage Centre). Results using remote sensing, show that road construction has led to a 4% loss of forest cover in this zone (1,069 hectare loss), but also indicate forest regrowth along the road. Lands being used for agricultural and pastoral activities have increased by 10% in this zone, resulting from activities centered on two settlements in the area.

Economic development alternatives have been sought through the “Sangay Project” in both high and low altitude areas and with different ethnic groups (Quecha, Shuara and Mestizo). The project is focusing on training for local guides, grassland management, agroforestry development and support for the creation of local handcrafts. The report states that results are limited due to the relatively small scale of the project and the large expanse of the park.

Environmental education and institutional strengthening activities involving these communities, and local organizations are also being carried out. These included guided visits for locals, the broadcasting of films, traveling exhibits and the publication of leaflets. There has been a strong emphasis on reaching out to people within the Amazon zone of the park, with the development of a manual for environmental Education for school children, financed by Fundacion Natura.

In regards to land use tenure issues, the report states that there is very little human presence in the World Heritage property, with a total of 600 hectares, or approximately 0.2% of the property lands having been attributed to communities or families by way of historical grants. The Ministry of the Environment has focused attention on the Guamote-Macas road in relation to land tenure issues in an effort to ensure that further migration to this zone is halted. A cadastre was produced for lands bordering the road and the information so gathered was also used by the National Institute for Agricultural Development to resolve land use conflicts. Alternative land use regimes are now being promoted in this area, focusing on sustainable resource use and the control of deforestation. The report notes that 15,659 ha along the road have been formally removed from national park status following a negotiation process with local communities. As the road passes through both the World Heritage inscribed and non-inscribed portions of the park, it is not clear from the report how much of this is affecting the actual property. This requires clarification.

The Enhancing our Heritage project has also supported the design and implementation of a monitoring system for watersheds and lake systems in the property. This work will lead to the proposal for inscription of portions of the property under the Ramsar convention for wetlands.