The Vilcabamba–Amboró Conservation Corridor

Vilcabamba–Amboró Conservation Corridor Map

In 1998, the Organization of American States funded a proposal that involved the creation of a transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The proposal incorporated corridors and buffer zones into its confi guration and complemented a similar idea that was being developed by Conservation International. These developments evolved into a more ambitious ecological network called the Vilcabamba–Amboró Conservation Corridor, which is built up around large protected-area complexes composed of protected areas, multiple-use areas and indigenous peoples’ reserves.

The programme now encompasses 18 protected areas, which are the core areas of a developing ecological network. Three of the areas are also indigenous reserves, and a series of Inca and pre-Inca archaeological sites are located in the network, including the world-famous Machu Picchu. The next phase in the programme is the preparation of detailed action plans.

The majority of the funding for developing the Vilcabamba–Amboró Conservation Corridor comes from a range of international donors. These include, in addition to Conservation International, WWF, USAID and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank).