On 9 January 2020, the president of Peru announced that one million trees will be planted around Machu Picchu to protect it from natural disasters.
The plan is part of a reforestation campaign to protect the ancient site from mudslides and forest fires. According to AFP, Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra said in a statement: ‘We’re here to begin the planting of a million trees in the protected zone around the Machu Picchu sanctuary.’
He continued in saying that the one-million-tree target is ‘a commitment from the government, the region, the municipality and all the citizens who want to protect this world wonder’.
Environment ministry specialists expressed the need to plant trees to protect not only the sanctuary but the protected ecological area’s fauna and flora as well.
According to Global News, Machu Picchu is at risk of mudslides in winter and forest fires in summer. The tree roots will help decrease soil erosion which is the greatest, natural way to reduce the risk of mudslides.
This is the second such precaution taken to protect the popular tourist attraction in the last eight months.
In May 2019, restrictions were placed on visiting three key areas: the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor and the Intihuatana Stone. Prior to that, in response to overtourism, local authorities implemented a ticketing system that requires tourists to book the date and a strictly allocated time slot for their visits. The new system is meant to regulate the flow of travellers and preserve Peru’s national treasure.
Also read: Tourists arrested for defecating at Machu Picchu
Image: Unsplash
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