Sustainable Tourism: Chaparri Ecological Reserve and the Community of Santa Catalina of Chongoyape Vania Burga Vigo1 – Kiara Céspedes Prada2 – Rosemary Fernández Temoche 3
SUMMARY
This essay tries to get close to one of the most successful models of the development of sustainable tourism we have in our country, and its impact on the regional society in general. The first part place us in the context of Private Conservation Area Chaparri as an actual natural habitat of a varied wildlife and scientific research center dedicated to the dry forest ecosystems and endemic species, area that was formerly the favorite place for hunters and predators of their own natural resources, but now has a state recognition. The second part is dedicated to the rural community of Santa Catalina in Chongoyape as an example of social development based on good governance Having focused on the real context of community and environment, the third part refers to itself sustainable tourism activity, which should generate wealth and production for the company. Key Words: Sustainable Tourism, ecotourism. RESUMEN El presente ensayo busca acercarse a uno de los modelos más exitosos del desarrollo de turismo sostenible que tenemos en nuestro país, y su repercusión a la sociedad regional en general. El tema I nos ubica en el contexto del área de conservación privada Chaparri como actual hábitat natural de una variada fauna silvestre y centro de investigación científica dedicada a los ecosistemas del bosque seco y de las especies endémicas, zona que anteriormente era el lugar favorito de cazadores y depredadores de sus propios recursos naturales, pero que hoy cuenta con el reconocimiento del estado. El tema II está dedicado a la comunidad campesina Santa Catalina de Chongoyape como ejemplo de desarrollo social basado en la buena administración Habiéndonos centrado en el contexto real de comunidad y medio ambiente, el tema III se refiere al turismo como actividad propiamente sostenible, que debe generar riqueza y producción para la sociedad.
1
Estudiante del octavo ciclo, de la Escuela de Turismo y Negocios, en la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales, de la Universidad Señor de Sipán, en la ciudad de Chiclayo, Perú. Correo electrónico: vaniabvigo@gmail.com. 2 Estudiante del octavo ciclo, de la Escuela de Turismo y Negocios, en la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales, de la Universidad Señor de Sipán, en la ciudad de Chiclayo, Perú. Correo electrónico: kiara_mcp@hotmail.com 3 Estudiante del octavo ciclo, de la Escuela de Turismo y Negocios, en la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales, de la Universidad Señor de Sipán, en la ciudad de Chiclayo, Perú. Correo electrónico: Rosemary_10_93@hotmail.com
INTRODUCTION
The experience the Community Chongoyape Santa Catalina, in its relation to the Private Conservation Area - ACP - Chaparri, is considered a successful model of sustainable tourism that we have in Peru and one of the highlights of Latin America. In fact, it is an example of environmental conservation and good use that social group makes natural resources their land offers them for their own survival. It is there where today animal reintroduction programs are conducted in danger of extinction such as the Guanaco, White Wing Turkey (Pava Aliblanca), Glasses Bear (Oso de Anteojos); preservation of biodiversity of flora and fauna, and also offer various services on behalf of the environment (such as maintenance of hydro-biological cycle, soil conservation and mitigation of global warming) that allow the development of the population and the maintaining a policy of sustainable use. The link between humans and their natural environment has been shown to generate resources for the benefit of the population and also meet the guidelines for tourism and social responsibility and sustainable development.
THEORETICAL FRAME
1. - The area of private conservation Chaparri Ecological Reserve
The name Chaparri refers to the big mountain that, together with the Mulato hill, there surround the districts of Chongoyape and Batan Grande, in the coastal Lambayeque region. This area is a sacred place for the villagers, since there assume to him the habitual meetings(sessions) of magic and folk medicine of this part of the country, what does that few ones have dared to climb these hills, and those that necessarily have to cover it, they usually make it day. The sacred name of the Cerro Chaparri refers also to the territory that until 1999 was rural and godforsaken; with a 34,400 hectares extension, it was the place preferred for hunters and predators of the flora and wild fauna, many of them members of the Rural Community Santa Catalina de Chongoyape, developed in the same territory, who were destroying the resources (resorts) that the ground was giving to them for its own subsistence, without warning of the natural damage that they were causing. Chaparri was simply, “ground of nobody�. Later, the same proprietors worried by the constant deterioration of its ground due to the hunting and chopping that they were propitiating(causing) themselves, decided to repair its error and be useful (take the opportunity) of better forming the proper natural resources of its area. In this stage of the history it is necessary to mention the participation of Heinz Plenge (2008) as one of the makers of the restructuring of Chaparri. Plenge, who had been a manager of the ex-ranch Tinajones (today agricultural enterprise Saint John, located in the same area of Chongoyape) knew in abundance the importance of the conservation of the environment for the proper use of its inhabitants. Very keen after the nature photo - at present it is recognized like one of the most prestigious photographers from conservation at national level - it had a transcendental dialogue with the proprietors of Santa Catalina, about the wonderful territory that they were possessing and the importance of preserving it for proper benefit and of the environment; and a good day of 1999, they agreed collectively that the area was very attractive to promote the tourism.
This way, and after several meetings(convocations) and coordinations with others social organizations public and private, the Peruvian State recognized after Chaparri ACP as the first Area of Conservation Deprived of Peru – under Ministerial Resolution Nº 1324 of the year 2001. In accordance with diverse investigations concerning this Ecological Reservation (Reserve), the Chaparri area is important for the biodiversity of the area because it is part of a biological broker of conservation, which takes as a goal to protect to the species that are in extinction danger. At present, Chaparri is provided (relies on) with 34,412 hectares and is one of the most diverse areas in dry forests due to its status altitudinal and varied (assorted) habitats (environments). In Chaparri there coexist 205 species of birds, 19 mammals, 21 reptiles and 4 amphibians, as the Guanaco, The Andean Condor (Condor Andino), White Wing Turkey (Pava Aliblanca), Pitajo de Tumbes (species of endemic bird) and Glasses Bear(Oso de Anteojos). Precisely, Glasses Bear, White Wing Turkey and The Coastal Fox (El Zorro Costeño) are the endemic species of the wild faunas most threatened in danger of extinction; but thanks to this project, they are being rescued, rehabilitated and reintroduced to its natural habitat (environment) for its reproduction and conservation.
1.1. - The cultural biological corridor "Great Chaparri"
The existence of Chaparri Ecological Reserve as Private Conservation Area has as its objectives, among others, the reintroduction of the wild fauna in danger of extinction and the conservation and protection of the dry forests. Chaparri Ecological Reserve is, from the year 2003, a matter of regional interest, on the part of the Regional Government of Lambayeque, who acknowledged the biological corridor Large Cultural Chaparri Ecological Reserve as a matter of regional interest, due to the model implemented by the Peasant Community Muchik Santa Catalina of Chongoyape in Chaparri Ecological Reserve, as a strategy to combat poverty and desertification. This corridor has a total of approximately 200,000 hectares, and will join then to another set in the neighboring regions of Piura and Tumbes, formed by the protected areas of Cerros de Amotape, El Angolo and Tabaconas -Namballe, also constrain with protected areas of the neighboring country of Ecuador. On the other hand, again the office in Peru of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has approved a substantial donation for the Peasant Community Santa Catalina of Chongoyape, this time for the development of two projects: The first of them is the implementation of more efficient rural cuisine and the second will promote the production and marketing of honey with export quality.
2. The community of Santa Catalina Muchik Chongoyape.
Muchik Chongoyape Santa Catalina has grown into one of the best organized peasant communities in the country. It is worth mentioning that the term MUCHIK (Mochica) was one of the most spoken languages in the northern coast of the country before the arrival of the Spanish in the XVI century. St. Catherine of Chongoyape added MUCHIK name from the year 2003, which amended the statute of the community, whereas in Lambayeque the pre Inca Moche culture developed.
2.1 Commitment to the environment.
Definitely, Heinz Plenge developed a hard work: changing the mindset of the community, as it was not easy to change habits and use that were giving their lands and natural resources. Plenge, having become a conservation photographer, offered his advice, but initially the villagers had much distrust him. Of course, today recognize his vision: the Santa Catalina community has over 100 community members who work solely on tourism development in the reserve, conservation of biodiversity and the environment, generating new income; they are also concerned about raising the rest of the population. The benefits received in return are many, in relation to health, education, employment generation, among others. The inhabitants formally affiliated with more than 350 community and those living in community settings exceed 2500. The communal area has a total of 42 000 412 hectares, of which 34 000 400 belong only to the Private Conservation Area - ACP - Chaparri. In fact, 60% of community income comes from tourism and the remaining 40% of crafts, agriculture, etc. In turn, these revenues are distributed in the same community needs as follows: 40% in the maintenance of the reserve; 25% in health; 15% in education; 10% in rural patrols and 10% in administrative matters.
In recent years, in the area called "White Land", located at the entrance road trail that leads to the Reserve Chaparri have been implemented workshops for making handicrafts in stone; a meeting room and training; a workshop for craftswomen and toilets inside the same room. In the same reservation has been made infrastructure: building an interpretation center, stands birding, a suspension bridge and shelters that work as eco-lodges, managed by the family Plenge, allowing give better quality care service to visitors.
3. - The tourism as sustainable activity
The receptive tourist activity represents one of its main mechanisms of development and socialization, since the ACP of Chaparri is one of the new attractions of the region in the ambience of the rural tourism, and it is turning into a novel option that it complements with the ecotourism, the investigation and the study of the resources (resorts). And surprisingly more of the awaited thing is growing. In accordance with the last numbers that we have obtained, the ACP Chaparri received, from January until June, 2010, 1,882 visitors’ people from Lambayeque, in addition to 1,154 national visitors and 325 foreign visitors, who have brought to the community a whole of S/.30, 799 the new suns (I enter only for tourist visits). In good account, in this moment the tourism (and the offer of other products and related services) presents itself as an economic(economical) complement to its activities and as the visitors' inflow increases it might be considered to be the most important source of resources(resorts), generating of a sustainable continuous development, of economic(economical) and social inclusion.
3.1. - Tourism and community
Currently, Chaparri Ecological Reserve account with a tourist circuit established; specialized guides in birds; two books published and two web pages with information for the tourist. As a model of sustainable tourism, the Community has craft workshops; rural hostels; horses of step and an interpretation center and research of the wildlife of the area.
In the next 5 years the Community of Santa Catalina projected multiply all the resources that currently account: to improve the current access road to the reserve; greater artisanal production to meet market demand; environments to provide food services for the tourists and the locals who work as tourist guides and hospitality; bilingual guides and complete with specialized equipment to facilitate the completion of the work (binoculars, lenses, tents, telescopes, etc. ); improvement of the offices of tourist link, in the cities of Chiclayo, Lima and Chongoyape; increased participation in fairs and craft workshops of tourism and ecotourism; achieve more project financings for studies and monitors of the wildlife; improve the infrastructure and specialized services in the Health of the population. Then the tourism in communities is an alternative more than economic development. According to the International Labor Office (ILO-, "you can become a crucial component of the local economic development in favor of the indigenous communities and the locations that these inhabit" (International Labor Office: 2001, P6) already that the give the patterns of growth from what they already have, its natural heritage, have an investment in its intrinsic reality whose benefit is felt in the same society.
3.2 Tourism and sustainable development
The World Tourism Organization says: Sustainable tourism is meeting the needs of present tourists and recipient community, protects and promotes the opportunities for the future. Sustainable tourism is a way of management of the resources, meeting the economic, social and aesthetic needs, biodiversity and the systems that sustain life. Sustainable tourism must focus on the realization of good practice. The management of forms of tourism and destination types, including mass tourism, among others. The principle of sustainability are the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects, striking a balance to ensure the long term.
Discussion
The development of the Santa Catalina Muchik Chongoyape community is by the process of organizing people who bet on natural resources, those who got better their lifestyle, revealing their culture through events and activities. Ursula Rischmoller Consulting (2007), we understand that when a locality tourist resources are wasted, there is a lack and initial failure by public officials charged with the promotion, dissemination and from the same population. Similarly, Walter Wust (2006) considers that "the increasing deterioration of cities is accumulated very difficult to govern socioeconomic processes result; and this is exacerbated when the authorities and the population does not incorporate decision making, especially in material planning, allocation of rights in land use, waste management, transportation, and other key issues, to establish some balance in the environment urban ". Under such decentralization offers a new opportunity to build sustainable cities, but requires active participation of all sectors.
Conclusions In granting 86% of its territory Chaparri Private Conservation Area for the conservation of its biodiversity of flora and fauna, the residents of St. Catherine of Chongoyape are also facilitating tourism promotion. Chaparri is consolidating as the main natural attraction of Lambayeque. Their model is being replicated in other rural communities with similar ecosystems. Sustainable development and sustainable tourism should be an indispensable condition for tourism and in every social activity. Tourism and all activities contribute to development and environmental conservation; social and community development.
Recommended A rethinking of the functions of journalists specialists in tourism, will be to disseminate, promote, educate and raise awareness, equally and simultaneously through the messages laden descriptions, valuations and opinions criteria for the common good, recipients not only in the value relaxing and entertaining da tourism human quality, but also in the reflection that each person must make the importance of appreciating, preserve, respect and spread the tourist heritage that each region has. The media participation through awareness campaigns to the public are essential for external threats, such as illegal mining and illegal logging, is braking and not continue destroying natural resources as the main livelihoods of these rural communities.
Gratitude We thank all the people and institutions that gave us the necessary information and shared their own experiences with us, to present this proposal from an experiential point of view. We thank also the Mgr. David Sanchez Medina, who gave us with this project, to present one of the most representative of Lambayeque - Peru and thus, to be partakers of promoting tourism in our region.
Bibliographic References
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES (INRENA 2001 Ministerial Resolution No. 1324 - AG "Recognition of the Ecological Reserve Chaparrí Ecological Reserve as the first private conservation area". December.
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF LAMBAYEQUE 2003 Regional Ordinance No. 027-2003-GR.LAMB. /CR - "Recognition of the great biological corridor Chaparrí Ecological Reserve as a matter of regional interest"
NATIONAL PROTECTED AREAS SERVICE http:// www.sernanp.gob.pe
EL COMERCIO 2008 "Regional Government search that Chaparrí Ecological Reserve is intangible zone" trade. Chiclayo, Saturday December 20. PB6, regional edition.
EL COMERCIO 2008 "a forest to care" trade, Saturday December 20. PB7, regional edition.
Heinz Plenge Laboratories 2008 "The enchanted forests Chaparrí Ecological Reserve". The newspaper industry. Sunday February 17. P30
RISCHMOLLER, Ursula 2007 "Guide for the promotion of tourism in local governments" Cooper Action. Lima
Wust, Walter 2006 "The Peru we want" Peruvian Society of Environmental Law. Lima. P92
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