Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Environmental Issues
Peru faces major challenges in the stewardship of its natural resources, with problems
compounded by a lack of law enforcement and its impenetrable geography. Deforestation
and erosion are major issues, as is industrial pollution, urban sprawl and coca eradication.
In addition, the Interoceánica highway through the heart of the Amazon may imperil thou-
sands of square kilometers of rainforest.
Some positive measures are being taken to help protect the country's environment. For
example, the Peruvian government and private interests within the tourism industry have
come together to develop sustainable travel projects in the Amazon. In 2005 Peru became
one of 17 Latin American countries, along with Spain, to sign the Amazon River Declara-
tion, which calls for environmental safeguards to ensure biodiversity and for the develop-
ment of tourism strategies that will fight rural poverty and spur regional development in
sustainable ways.
