Kugapakori, Nahua, Nanti and others Territorial Reserve, Indigenous territorial reserve in Cusco and Ucayali regions, Peru
The Kugapakori, Nahua, Nanti and others Territorial Reserve is a protected area in the Cusco and Ucayali regions that spans about 443,887 hectares of forest. It sits between the districts of Megantoni, Echarati, and Sepahua and borders both Megantoni National Sanctuary and Manu National Park.
The reserve was established in 2003 to protect the communities from illegal logging and natural resource extraction that had intensified in the region. This decision recognized the need to officially safeguard these peoples and their ancestral lands.
The land is home to the Machiguenga, Nahua, and other groups who hunt, fish, and farm here as their ancestors did. Visitors can observe how these communities maintain a close connection with the forest and continue their traditional way of life today.
Access to this area requires special permission and is overseen by the Ministry of Culture with administrative offices in Pucallpa and Cusco. Visitors should prepare for difficult forest routes and the humid tropical climate, as infrastructure is limited.
Health studies revealed concerning mercury contamination among many community members in the Nahua villages, particularly affecting children under 12 years old. This pollution originates from illegal gold panning in nearby rivers and highlights the environmental challenges the region faces.
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