San Matías–San Carlos Protection Forest, Protected forest reserve in Pasco Region, Peru
San Matías-San Carlos Protection Forest is a protected reserve in Pasco covering varied terrain with river valleys and mountain ridges. The landscape includes dense forest cover across different elevation zones that support diverse plant and animal life.
This forest became a protected area in 1987 when authorities recognized its role in preventing erosion and supporting local communities. The designation reflected growing awareness of the need to safeguard these natural systems.
The Ashaninka and Amuesha communities have lived in these forests for generations and continue their traditional ways of life here. Their presence shapes how the forest is used and valued by those who pass through.
You need permission before entering and should be ready for remote conditions with few marked paths and basic facilities. Plan ahead and bring appropriate gear for the environment you will encounter.
The area spans two different forest ecosystems, each with its own specialized plants and animals that thrive at different elevations. This overlap of habitats in one place makes it ecologically complex and rich.
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