Bogota, Colombia
CNN
–
Peru’s decision to reduce the archaeological park to the famous Nazca Line has been warned by around 42% (a region of around 1,400 soccer fields) among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates.
Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and undermine decades of cultural and ecological protection, but the government says the coordination reflects updated scientific research and does not compromise on the core protection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites or sites.
“The reduction not only removes protection, but is precisely done when extraction activities are expanding,” said Mariano Castro, former Deputy Minister of Environment in Peru, adding that the decision “can cause very serious risks and cumulative damages.”
Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisan mining are already limited.
“This is exacerbated by the failure of the Ministry of Culture by failing to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,” he said.
The area in question has large geoglyphs etched in the desert thousands of years ago, forming part of the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site, home to Nazca Rhine, one of Peru’s most vulnerable desert ecosystems.
UNESCO told The Associated Press that Peruvian authorities have not notified of changes to the World Heritage Site boundaries. Organizations request more information from authorities.
Peruvian environmental attorney Cesar Ipenza, who closely followed the decision, said the resolution had already been approved and would reduce the NAZCA zone by more than 1,000 hectares.
“This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural conservation,” Ipenza said. “The state should support its commitment under international agreements, rather than succumbing to private interests.”
Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners.
“There is an alliance between the current government and the informal mining sector,” he said. “The legal framework continues to relax to benefit them.”
Peru’s Ministry of Culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazka Reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to about 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer certain questions from the Associated Press. Instead, they sent a press release saying that the adjustment is based on updated archaeological research and will not affect UNESCO World Heritage Site designations or buffer zones.
The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site’s cultural heritage through regulated controls.
The day after the decision on May 30th, Peruvian Minister of Culture Fabrio Valencia confirmed the existence of illegal mining within the reserve.
“Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this sector, but the measures we took do not mean that it will be encouraged or that it will increase the likelihood of harm from informal mining, and that will not happen.
When asked for details regarding the existence of illegal activities in the reserve, Valencia said, “There are some mined sediments, but there is no accurate information as to which types of minerals are available.”
Former Deputy Minister Castro warned that the move could violate Peru’s own laws.
“It violates Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, which requires the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,” he said.
Ipenza said the government is making illegality possible by pretending to be technical adjustments.
“It is embarrassing to disguise a decision to forget our ancestors and heritage and pave the way for sectors to impose illegality such as illegal or informal mining,” he said. “This decision benefits these groups and harms all Peruvians.”
