Projects
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We are initiating a group composed of several projects. These are intended to be developed -at the outset –in the Cusco region, to be followed by implementation in other parts of Peru. For reasons stemming from both proclivity as well as need, we extend to you an offer from our part to join, pitch in or participate in this effort in form or fashion you deem convenient or suitable.
In South America and Peru in particular we are poignantly aware that our once seemingly endless natural resources are dwindling at an ever-increasing rate. It is of the essence to act now –first and fast- before the “point of no return” is reached. The massive deforestation of many areas is accelerating a generalized process of erosion never seen before. The Andes are –in effect- collapsing. This is generating radical changes in the weather and ensuing mass flooding of catastrophic magnitude. Paradoxically, our own demand for natural resources is escalating dramatically –along with the rest of the world’s- which results in an alarming decrease of wildlife and nature protected areas as these become sacrificed to “progress”. The indications that we should effect a radical change in our activities and life style ring ominous and crystal clear. The present situation has already altered the world of tomorrow in several irreversible ways. Future generations will never see our planet as it was. Sad and unfair as it is, it may still lie within our power to save at least something to be seen.
Generating and developing projects as the ones listed below helps to raise concern and awareness and gradually bring people together to push for change in favor of protection and conservation.
As many are now aware, the increasing scarcity of water has raised its rank among the most precious of disappearing resources to the same level as oxygen producing forests. Indeed, the two are almost inseparably linked. Among the tenets of our organization we are of the opinion –considering the fact that we derive a part of our income through operating activities such as river rafting and kayaking tours-- it is our obligation to contribute and participate with the local population in all and every effort to conserve and improve the conditions of our rivers. Consequently, we have involved ourselves –as an institution- in campaigns undertaken to clean given sections of rivers as well as adding our protest to others remitted to the local authorities. Some of our nascent projects are devoted to that particular subject. Among the first of these are ones related to the lower sections of the Vilcanota River. These are sections where we do not operate because of their extremely polluted condition. As an alternative, we raft the upper sections of the Vilcanota which are still remarkably free from human the consequences of irresponsible human activities. Needles to say, we take all the precautions necessary in order to keep it that way. We are currently trying to establish some level of working cooperation with the local authorities on the mater, but all will eventually prove fruitless without the active support of the local population.
It should be noted that 98% of Peru’s water resources (i.e.: rivers and fluvial systems) lie on the eastern slope of the Andean Cordillera (in other words most all are part of the great Amazonian watershed) and only 2% discharge along the western slope into the Pacific Ocean. Due to global arming and the resultant recession of glaciers, the mean annual flow of these rivers is rapidly decreasing. Those that will feel the initial impact first and hardest are the few streams that cut through the barren lands of the Pacific desert –many of which are intermittent in flow or long dried up- but in time the great Easter slope system will also feel the crunch. Considering that most of that irrigates the Amazonian plain, its decrease will affect the botanical biomass which is the largest single oxygen producing area in the world. And the country –as with virtually all other natural resources being exhausted- will need yet more water. Peru and neighboring countries are in dire help to conserve and preserve their water resources and that help is needed now.
Hand in hand with that is the subject of reforestation which, more simply put, signifies oxygen production. An important part within the reforestation involves the replanting and re introduction of our original native arboreal and plant species which have gradually been displaced or eliminated by intrusive exotic species introduced since the era of the European invasion. Whatever the case, reason or method, deforestation must be stopped and reversed NOW. For every tree that goes down, there is less oxygen production, more erosion and changes in the weather. One can only feel horror at the thought of the thousands of hectares that are logged daily.
Yet another substantial factor in the general degradation of the forest land (as well as more commonly cultivated valley plots) are the slash-and-burn techniques used since time immemorial by the local population. This particular subject is socially complicated: on one hand, the slash-and-burn technique causes serious changes in the environment, destroys native flora and eventually makes the land poorer by stripping it of nutrients, altering its PH, etc.; on the other hand, there is the social imperative which reflects itself in ways such as the convenience and rapidness with which the land is cleared and weeded, the relatively fast and plentiful yield (initially) due to the amount of ash and charcoal. These, of course, represent a benefit and at times a bonus for an ever growing population composed of large families with limited financial resources and many mouths to feed. Frequently, areas that are classified or lie within the bounds of legally protected conservation reserves and National Parks are simply occupied or taken over by migrant farmers who lay waste to the carefully preserved environment. Regarding the matter of reforestation with the original native plant species, the initial motivation behind it was to restore the forest to a more original pristine state for the benefit of future generations. At the same time, there is food for though in the consideration that the reintroduction and incorporation of the original native flora may well play a significant ecological role as it surely must have hundreds of years ago.
It is because of those and many more reasons that we –regardless of being a tourist company- feel compelled and motivated to design and structure projects to protect our natural resources and benefit the traditional culture of the people.
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Projects