Tumbes Reserved Zone Dry Forests, during the dry season. Photo: DS
In Peru, reserved zones are temporary designations, established in areas that satisfy conditions of protection. Once additional studies are conducted, its corresponding, final category is determined according to the management objectives for the area. Currently, there is a proposal to annex Tumbes Reserved Zone and make it part of Cerros de Amotape National Park.
Isla Noblecilla deforestation area (photo: DS)
Evidence of wood harvesting and trail of extraction
The principal threats to Tumbes Reserved Zone are illegal timber extraction, illegal extraction of building materials (sand and river and stream stones), overharvesting of non-timber forest products (such as honey), over-collection of parrots for sale as pets, production of charcoal (especially from the carob tree), excessive animal husbandry, the presence of unregulated cattle and goats, and contamination of the Tumbes River from trash and other solid waste and from mercury used in gold mining done in Ecuador.
ParksWatch-Peru: November 2003
By: Diego Shoobridge