Law No. 26834 - Natural Protected Areas Law

Peruvian law published on July 4, 1997, regulating the management and conservation of natural protected areas in accordance with Article 68 of the Political Constitution of Peru. It establishes the legal framework for conserving biological diversity and the cultural, landscape and scientific values associated with protected terrestrial and marine areas. The law regulates protected area categories, direct and indirect use regimes, internal zoning, buffer zones, planning instruments and conditions for the sustainable use of natural resources. It provides for communal reserves aimed at conserving wild flora and fauna for the benefit of neighboring rural populations, protection forests and special-use zones where agricultural, livestock or agroforestry activities may exist subject to conservation objectives. Natural resource use must be compatible with each protected area category, zoning and Master Plan. Its primary purpose is biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of natural protected areas.