Planning the Colca Canyon and the Valley of the Volcanoes National Park in South Peru

Geosites and Geotouristic Attractions Proposed for the Project Geopark Colca and Volcanoes of Andagua, Peru

“…In parallel with the detailed research a spatial framework efforts for the formal adoption of the draft project was defined. The authorities of the Department of Arequipa, local governments as well as research centers and the media have been informed of the progress of research and the idea of the creation of the National Park Colca Canyon and Valley of the Volcanoes (Gałaś and Paulo 2009;Paulo et al 2014).…”

“…1). The investigations carried out by the Polish Scientific Expedition to Peru (Paulo and Gałaś 2008a), INGEMMET and other institutions allow to recognize, evaluate and popularize the unique geological features of this area, to identify threats and conflicts between protection and alternative developments, to delimit the area for the aspiring Geopark and its sectors of special protection, to find proper measures for tourist access, and develop educational programs for of local people as future guardians and guides (Paulo et al 2014). Examples of the educative routes in the Muskau Arch UGG (transborder geopark between Germany and Poland) and other protected areas worldwide are provided, as well as manuals for local school teachers illustrating educational programs describing the geological structure of local outcrops on local outcrops (Koźma and Kupetz 2008).…”

Stratovolcanoes in the Western Cordillera – Polish Scientifi c Expedition to Peru 2003–2012 reconnaissance research

“…It was acknowledged that their classic formation, negligible erosion and easy accessibility make them attractions, on the scale of the South America continent at the least. This area is postulated as a part of the proposed Colca Canyon and the Valley of the Volcanoes National Park (Gałaś, Paulo, 2008;Paulo et al, 2014).…”

“…The aim of the research is the Canyon itself and the lower part of the Rio Colca Valley together with the nearby Valley of the Volcanoes (Bębenek, 2005;Krzak, 2005). The obtained research material is going to be used as a base for the establishment of a National Park in this area (Gałaś, Paulo, 2008;Paulo, Gałaś, 2011;Paulo et al, 2014). Colca Canyon has been considered the deepest canyon on Earth since 1984 (The Guinness Book of Records).…”

“…Rapid economic growth that followed the discovery of the Canyon caused the most valuable qualities of the environment to be seriously threatened. The main reasons are: development of transport infrastructure, touristic services (hotels), hydraulic and energy engineering investments and, to a smaller extent, mining (Macedo, 2012;Paulo et al, 2014;Zavala et al, 2014). In 2003-2012, participants of the Polish Scientifi c Expedition to Peru entered several stratovolcanoes in the direct vicinity of the Colca Valley and Canyon.…”