Law on the Protection, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands throughout Peru (Law No. 32099)

Law No. 32099, published on July 20, 2024, establishing the principles and general provisions for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of wetlands throughout Peru, as well as the prevention, reduction and mitigation of wetland degradation through integrated, cross-sectoral, decentralized and participatory management. It covers ecosystems including mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, marshes, high-Andean wetlands, peatlands, paramos and other wetlands identified by national environmental instruments. The law designates the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM) as the national technical and regulatory authority and establishes responsibilities for coordination, monitoring and technical assistance involving sectoral, regional and local authorities. It regulates environmental education, prohibited activities and administrative infringements related to waste disposal, unauthorized wastewater discharges, alteration of water sources, vegetation removal, land-use changes, unauthorized exploitation of natural resources and other activities affecting wetlands. It requires local governments to establish wetland buffer zones and regional governments to prepare integrated wetland management plans with objectives, indicators, targets and monitoring mechanisms. The law also provides for the identification, mapping and monitoring of wetlands and the prioritization of threatened ecosystems or those relevant to climate change mitigation. Its purpose is to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem services and ensure sustainable wetland management. The law was regulated by Supreme Decree No. 002-2025-MINAM.