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Planning the Colca Canyon and the Valley of the Volcanoes National Park in South Peru

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Abstract

The economic development of the Rio Colca region and related infrastructure endangers the environment of the deepest canyon worldwide. The unique values of the Colca Valley and Canyon and its tributary Valley of the Volcanoes are summarised. They include a magnificent, deep section of the orogenic belt 100 km long, different geological formations, active faults, a variety of fold structures, young volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, several ecological zones and the largest condor habitat in the Andes. Based on the observed land use, development and regional planning, the threats and conflict areas are outlined. Studies performed by the Polish Scientific Expedition to Peru since 2003 add greatly to the knowledge of geology, landscape and pioneering biota development of the area and its importance to the world heritage of nature. They are aimed to give scientific background to the project of the Canyon Colca and Valley of the Volcanoes National Park. The article gives the proposed limits of the park and its buffer zones, categories of protection zones compatible with the SINANPE system of Peru and suggestions on tourist accessibility. The strict protection zone should cover the most inaccessible part of the area where human economic activity practically does not exist. Traditional farming and animal husbandry, wildlife, cultural tourism and some forms of adventure tourism will be allowed in the zone of special usage. The new park would strengthen the relatively poor system of the protected areas in the Arequipa Department, increase tourist attractiveness and determine constraints for sustained regional development. The expected actions of the park authority and local governments are specified.

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Acknowledgments

At the initial stage, Professor Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski provided great help in introducing to Peruvian geologists’ and miners’ environment. The authors also thank the reviewers for their comments and suggestions. Financial support was provided by AGH statutory funds no. 11.11.140.175.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Kraków, Poland

    Andrzej Paulo, Andrzej Gałaś & Slávka Gałaś

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  1. Andrzej Paulo
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  2. Andrzej Gałaś
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  3. Slávka Gałaś
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Correspondence to Andrzej Gałaś.

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Paulo, A., Gałaś, A. & Gałaś, S. Planning the Colca Canyon and the Valley of the Volcanoes National Park in South Peru. Environ Earth Sci 71, 1021–1032 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2506-9

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