WWF's work in Peru - Forests
© WWF-Canon / André BÄRTSCHI
To protect and conserve the Peruvian unique forest in an economically sustainable way, WWF Peru Programme Office's main achievements and current activities include the following:
Design and implementation of the Forest Law
WWF has provided substantial support for the design and implementation of the Forest Law (No. 27308) in Peru, including technical assistance and training on sustainable forest management and FSC certification to the forest sector and government agencies to move the process forward.
Already, 3.8 million ha of forest concessions have been awarded for sustainable management in the states of Madre de Dios, Ucayali, and San Martin to 170 forest concessionaires, 63 of which received direct technical assistance from the WWF Peru Programme Office.
It also provided technical assistance to an additional 36 forest businesses in the state of Huanuco for the concessions bidding process. PPO technical support has been particularly directed towards small-scale loggers.
Centro de Desarrollo Forestal en Peru (CEDEFOR-Peru)
With support from USAID-Peru, WWF is currently working to promote forest sector modernization through a major project entitled CEDEFOR-Peru (Centro de Desarrollo Forestal en Peru), which aims to promote sustainable forest management and voluntary forest certification through technical assistance and capacity building.
WWF Peru Programme Office also has 2 other special projects, the Von Humboldt-Aguaytia Pilot Project and the Alternative Development Project, which aim to conserve Peru's biodiversity by promoting sustainable forest management as an alternative to illicit production of coca and illegal logging.
Promoting forest certification
WWF is working to bolster a national institution promoting forest certification (Peruvian Council for Voluntary Forest Certification), which the PPO helped to establish.
First successful certified timber chain of custody
WWF helped secure FSC approval of timber and Brazil nut standards in Peru and contributed to the certification of Peru's first successful certified timber chain of custody. These efforts will contribute to expanding FSC-certified forests, which will increase the flow of certified mahogany in North American and European markets.
Supporting the Peruvian natural resource authority, INRENA
Provides support to the Peruvian natural resource authority, INRENA, toward the completion and documentation of illegal logging raids to counteract forest crime; and provides financial and technical support for a government interagency committee to combat illegal logging in Peru. This committee is working to develop and implement a national strategy to combat illegal logging and to establish control posts around the Alto Purus Reserved Zone.
Encouragement and support in the development of forest policy
WWF supports the development of forest policy by participating in national and regional roundtable dialogues, supporting INRENA capacity building efforts, and preparing technical documents to help ease the transition during Peru's forest sector modernization process.
TFCA Debt-for-Nature Swap
Has provided leadership and support for the TFCA Debt-for-Nature Swap between the Peruvian and US Governments. Under this agreement, the US Government will relieve US$10.6 million of Peruvian debt over the next 12 years, in exchange for the Peruvian Government's direct payment of these funds to Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and WWF. Funds will be used to implement effective long-term management in priority protected areas.
Forest natural protected areas
Contributed considerably to the creation and/or effective management of several forest natural protected areas, including Manu National Park, Bahuaja Sonene National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, and Tabacones Namballe National Sanctuary.
Sensitising the local population
Has raised awareness in Peru of the potential benefits of cooperation with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to achieve better management of mahogany harvest and trade.
Protecting the Big-leaf mahogany
Ensuring the long-term stability of big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), which occurs only in Latin America, requires approaching the problem from both the protection and management perspectives.
WWF supported the upgrading of big leaf mahogany to Appendix II of the international Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which was approved by the Parties in 2002. Listing on Appendix II requires exporting countries to certify that the trade is not detrimental to the species.
Zero Tolerance for Illegal Logging
With support from the WWF-Network, the PPO launched a 'Zero Tolerance for Illegal Logging' campaign targeting the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (PSNR). Campaign activities have been conducted in collaboration with PSNR administration, police officers, and indigenous communities in the area, and have contributed to the confiscation of more than 200,000 board feet of mahogany since late 2002.
