In 2009, WAVES for Development encouraged the Lobitos local government to sign a resolution creating and intangible zone (as seen in the Publicacion El Peruano Lobitos) of the beaches and dunes surrounding the Lobitos waves. This past project provides a solid framework for the current community goal: create a Natural Protected Area in Lobitos.
When we heard that the project led by community members and a local biologist, Mariana Rodriguez, was going to be presented to the Ministry of Environment in Lima, we were excited to join the cause and the team!
This commitment is part of our Environmental Conservation Program, which includes Environmental Education classes for youth, and community of Lobitos. Part of the initiative is reforestation; to regularly plant different endemic species of trees in the dry forest (desert-like) area.
The main goal of the project is to create a Natural Protected Area in Lobitos, in order to conserve the coastal ecosystems. Indeed, the fishing industry is still the major activity of the town and the touristic development is mainly due to the world class waves of Lobitos.
A Natural Protected Area will value and conserve the Renewable Natural Resources such as the geomorphological systems and oceanographic characteristics, as well as cultural ones such as traditional fishing techniques and tourism. These activities’ success strongly depend on the environmental conditions that are threatened by an extensive use of the land & the sea and seemingly unplanned urbanization.
WAVES for Development believes that this project helps the process of sustainable development of the region and is proud to give its official support. We sincerely wish it will become a reality soon!
