GENERATING ECOTOURISM IN THE QUEÑUALES FORESTS

Located in the province of Huarochiri in Lima are queñuales forests. But what are queñuales? Its scientific name is Polylepis racemosa, is a species of trees that grow to more than 3000 meters above sea level, so they are at the higher part of Peru.

This species are in critical condition conservation according to the International Convention on Biological Diversity, as only one can find remnants of these forests, including forest JAPANI. A few hours in Lima, so close to the city, but also away from it all!. Unfortunately for many years the people of this area had been working with these trees, using as much fuel, this practice was continually giving.

This problem was observed by the group of volunteer students from the National Agrarian La Molina University,  youngs of other universities and was  taken as a project, lead by Florencio Christian student of Forest Engineering, the aim of the project was that people see and appreciate the rich flora and fauna, achieve conserve and perform activities that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. That is how arose the idea of ​​ecotourism JAPANI forest, which so far has been amazing changes in the thinking of the people, as well as improve their quality of life encouraged to undertake further activities such as the production of organic gardens by children, where they work with the methodology of Ania - Land of children and the development of agro-industrial by mothers as well as different types of workshops with the villagers may make known the potential of their community.

environmental education with children

training in Agroindustrial Products with native fruits

some fun too! preparing a delicious dessert! :)

Christian Florencio with a nice baby!

All together also have worked on the realization of a forest nursery in town that serve to reproduce Carampoma native species and exotic species that are adapted to the area. This will initiate activities in the community forest. They are protecting plantations basin headwaters for forest production and contributing to climate change mitigation.
This project involves men, women, youth and children. From his young age and they learn the importance of biodiversity and the protection of the environment, achieving a better quality of life, as well as participate in practical and theoretical workshops, organized by the students also undertakes thematic drawing competitions on environment and also as a very important point is working on the investigation of all species of flora and fauna that exist in this forest, it has a great diversity of flora and fauna characteristic of an Andean forest, and is also part of an IBA (Area Important Bird) by Bird Life International and is according to the national strategy established in the Master Plan for Natural Protected Areas is a priority area for conservation in the central Andes.

We can find many species: Lagidium Peruanum

Phrygilus Fruticeti

phrygilus Unicolor

This work motivates you to perform more projects locally and regionally, nothing is easy, but not impossible! and small changes produce big changes!
Very soon I hope to continue to inform more about this project!  See you!

 some photos of the lagoon

You can to know more at :

Japaní: Bosque de Queñuales y Sitio Arqueológico in facebook! :)

Some photos about some pictures of the children