Copyright 2000, BBC News Online
August 25, 2000
By Claire Marshall in Lima

The largest tropical rainforest reserve in the world - Peru's Manu Biosphere Reserve - is to benefit from a new $240m fund established by the World Bank.

Manu animals

13 endangered species, including black cayman, giant otter and ocelot
925 species of bird - 25% of all species known in South America
13 species of primate
Over 100 species of bat
Covers area of 1,881,200 hectares

The reserve is among 25 of the earth's most important and fragile ecosystems which have been selected to receive money.

The park, located on the eastern slopes of the Andes in south-eastern Peru, spreads across an area half the size of Switzerland, and is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas on the planet.

Its inclusion on the list of critical areas which need protection, reflects its ecological importance.

It rises from just 150 to 4,200 metres (500 to 13,600 feet) above sea level, is home to 13 different species of monkey, and has the highest concentration of bird life on earth.

Along with two other international organisations, the World Bank set up the fund to protect zones of great biological diversity.

Peru also has two other areas on the list, which brings the total area earmarked for assistance in the country to 24 million hectares.

Concerns

However, conservation groups are worried that the money will not be used in the most effective way.

Daniel Blanco is the president of Selva Sur, a conservation organisation which is going to bid for some of the money.He thinks that most of the award will be spent on salaries, whereas it should go to members of the four native ethnic groups that live in the reserve.

"I think the communities, the local people are the ones who will do the conservation," he said.

Tourist pressure

he financial assistance comes at a critical time for the Manu reserve, which lies just 160km (100 miles) from Machu Picchu, and is coming under increasing pressure from tourists.The first permanent tourist lodge was built in the park in 1986, and now there are six tourism companies operating 20-bed lodges, with around 1,000 tourists visiting each year.

However, if even just some of the funds reach their intended destination, it will help to preserve one of the world's most unique ecosystems. Error: Unable to read footer file.