Instituto de Montaņa (The Mountain Institute) is promoting community-based conservation for both communities and groups of families in the buffer zone of Huascaran Biosphere Reserve and the Huayhuash range. Beginning in 1996, the Andean Program developed a participatory plan to organize conservation and development initiatives, which was completed after hundreds of community meetings.

Tourism was identified as an initital priority by the local people, so in 1997 TMI pursued training programs in mountain tourism and conservation. Based on this work, TMI received funds to support the efforts on the part of buffer zone communities to develop ecotourism and natural resource management projects. Examples of these projects include reintroduction of llamas to treks in the Park, development of peasant family lodges, indigenous nature guides, and restoration of native forests and grasslands.

Nature of EPF support: Project promotion through print and electronic sources.

For more information or to make a direct contribution contact:
Jorge Recharte
Director,
Programa Andino/The Mountain Institute
Av. Vasco Nunez de Balboa 433, Dept. 301
Lima 18 PERU
TEL: 51-1-2418563
FAX: 51-1-241-8563
e-mail: jrecharte@mountain.org
URL: http://www.mountain.org