Celebrating the Creation of Peru's New Sierra Del Divisor National Park

Washington, DC, November 20, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​To protect the newly created Sierra del Divisor National Park in Peru, the Andes Amazon Fund (AAF) and the Peruvian Government signed a formal collaboration agreement on November 13th, 2015 to provide funding for the new Park’s management.

“The creation of the Sierra del Divisor National Park on November 9, 2015, ranks as one of the most significant rainforest conservation accomplishments in recent years. It is a vast, road-less wilderness with massive old growth forests and all the hyper-diversity of pristine Amazonian ecosystems” says Andes Amazon Fund executive director Dr. Adrian Forsyth. 

"Sierra del Divisor National Park is a gift from Peru to Planet Earth. Our thanks to President Humala and the people of Peru."

Bruce Babbitt, Former US Secretary of Interior

He adds “But that does not mean this remote frontier region is already protected from illegal assaults against nature and indigenous communities.” For this reason the AAF will provide US$ 1 million to Peru’s protected area service –SERNANP–for initial implementation of the park.

AAF Program Director Enrique Ortiz explains “Park personnel must have the resources to deter threats from illegal mining, logging and coca cultivation. The logistical cost of good governance in such a remote area is high.” To that end, the funds committed by the AAF will complement government funding for protection, management, and community involvement. The AAF expects to disburse these funds over 5 years. 

An event to celebrate Sierra del Divisor National Park’s creation will be held at the National Geographic Society on November 20, with remarks by Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, Secretary Bruce Babbitt, and Ambassador Luis Miguel Castilla. The event is co-hosted by the Andes Amazon Fund and the Embassy of Peru.

“The creation of the Sierra del Divisor National Park is a major environmental milestone for Peru and complements its leadership in the climate change negotiations. The park has an immense wealth of plant and animal species many of which are unique to this region of the rainforest” says Luis Miguel Castilla, Ambassador of Peru to the United States.

“Sierra del Divisor National Park reflects Peru’s continued commitment to the protection of its rich biodiversity and the indigenous communities and populations that draw sustenance from such habitats in the Amazon,” concludes the Ambassador.

Former US Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt says: “Sierra del Divisor National Park is a gift from Peru to Planet Earth. Our thanks to President Humala and the people of Peru.”

The financial support from the AAF is also part of its commitment to the objectives of the “National Parks: A Legacy of Peru” initiative. This initiative is led by Peru’s Ministry of Environment, and partners such as Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and World Wildlife Fund.  

This approach will provide sustainable funding to improve management of Peru’s expanding national system of protected areas that provides a safe haven for one of the largest concentrations of biodiversity on Earth.

Forsyth adds, “By providing support for initial management of the Park, AAF hopes to ensure it serves as strong example of a partnership between local communities, government, and civil society to ensure the ecological vitality of one of the world’s greatest rainforests.”

The AAF congratulates the Peruvian government for the leadership shown by the designation of Sierra del Divisor as a National Park.