Detrás de la neblina: lomas de Lima

The urban political ecology of fog oases in Lima, Peru

“…As Tanaka (2001) pointed out, entirely new social movements, such as grassroot organisations and NGOs, emerged instead in order to defend the shared interests of local communities. Local tourism initiatives (LTOs) who aim to prevent the ecological degradation of fog oases in their respective areas are the best example here (see Table 1) (Kato, 2018;Nieuwland & Mamani, 2017;Soria & Romo, 2019). They are composed both of locals (e.g.…”

“…current and former social leaders, influential representatives of local communities, university students, and various entrepreneurs) and visitors who join such organisations after visiting fog oases (Apedjinou, 2019;Kato, 2018;Soria & Romo, 2019). Apart from organising ecotourism activities, LTOs campaign to raise environmental awareness, undertake legal actions against landtraffickers, and lobby in favour of better environmental policies (Kato, 2018;Lleellish et al, 2015;Soria & Romo, 2019). Despite their relevance and increasing popularity (e.g.…”

“…Nowadays, Lima's fog oases deliver the following ecosystem services: air quality regulation, food and freshwater provision, maintenance of genetic diversity, pollination, soil formation, aesthetic impression, spiritual experience, tourism, and recreation (Park Service of Lima, 2014;UNDP, 2018). However, despite the ecological value, fog oases are now increasingly seen as mere places for dwelling, even though human activities have a highly damaging impact on them, and they do not offer safe conditions for settlement (Kato, 2018;Nieuwland & Mamani, 2017;UNDP, 2018). Indeed, although Lima's fog oases are highly vulnerable to climate change (i.e.…”

“…As a result, some fog oases have permanently disappeared (for instance due to the fact that the land has been sealed with concrete), whereas others have been reduced in size or entirely isolated by newly urbanised areas (Apedjinou, 2019;Dillon et al, 2011;Metropolitan Lima council, 2014;Park Service of Lima, 2014;UNDP, 2018). In response to these threats, various local communities, together with civil organisations and NGOs, launch local tourism organisations (LTOs) whose main aim is to protect and conserve their fog oases by means of organising ecotourism activities (Nieuwland & Mamani, 2017;Park Service of Lima, 2014;Kato, 2018). However, to oppose all forces that instigate and benefit from informal urbanisation is not an easy task, particularly in the context of flawed urban planning, defective governance, weak regional authorities, and various illegal activities in the area (Metropolitan Lima Council, 2014;Soria & Romo, 2019).…”

“…Local tourism and conservation organisations related to Lima's fog oases (Peru) (Source: Own elaboration on the basis ofKato, 2018) …”