Protected
wildlife and wild flora species
Considered by the World Resources Institute as forming part of the
select group of eight "megadiverse" countries, it is estimated
that in Peru there are 84 of the 104 life zones existing in the
world, nearly 10% of the species of mammals and reptiles of the
planet, over 20% of earth's birds and between 40.000 and 50.000
species of vascular plants (the most developed). Unfortunately many
of these species are endangered due to their unauthorized exploitation
for the manufacture of tourist souvenirs and the cruel traffic of
wildlife (transported under conditions which cause most of them
to die during the trip).
Each loss reduces earth's life diversity with indescribable consequences.
It is for this reason that Peruvian laws prohibit and sanction the
extraction, transport, sale and export of all types of wildlife
and wild flora, dead or alive, without the authorization of INRENA
(1).
The
prohibition extends to any object made with their parts (crowns
or necklaces made of Macaw (guacamayo) feathers, butterfly wings,
musical instruments, "tigrillo" skin or "palos de
lluvia" (also called oncelote, a small feline resembling a
tiger).
(1)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES. The National Institute
of Natural Resources (INRENA) is the State's public organization
responsible for promoting the rational use of natural resources.
Current legal regulations impose severe sanctions to any persons
who hunt, extract, transport, sell or export wildlife or wild flora
species, as well as their products and by-products, including handicrafts
made with such products, without the corresponding authorization.
The
authorization for the extraction, sale and/or export of wildlife
and wild flora must be requested from INRENA:
Calle
Diecisiete 355, Urb. El Palomar. San Isidro, Lima
Tel.: (01) 224-3298 (anexo 167) / (01) 225-1053.
E-mail: inrenabibli@terra.com.pe
Archaeological
and Historical Heritage
Peruvian laws prohibit and sanction the sale and export of
original pieces of the national cultural heritage. Abstain from
buying them.
However, if you are interested in taking to your country samples
of Peruvian pre-Hispanic or Colonial art, you may buy replicas.
Replicas are all objects of modern manufacture imitating shapes
and decorative figures of pre-Hispanic or Colonial pieces (ceramic
pieces, gold and silver works, stonework, woodworks, textiles, paintings
and others). When buying replicas of pre-Hispanic or Colonial works,
make sure they have been certified by the INC (2); this certificate
can be obtained at any of the offices of this institution, located
in all departmental capitals.
If you are leaving Peru through the Jorge Chávez Airport,
visit the INC booth after you pass through Immigration post. The
authorization can be granted automatically.
(2)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CULTURE
The National Institute of Culture (INC) is the State's public organization
responsible for the protection, preservation, restoration and dissemination
of Peru's Cultural Heritage.
Cultural property, whether archaeological or historical, is protected
by law; and its export is prohibited. Clandestine export of cultural
property is a crime. The law authorizes the confiscation, in favor
of the State, of any material, equipment and vehicles used in the
commission of crimes against the cultural heritage, as well as of
the unduly obtained cultural property.
For
further information, visit the INC:
Edificio
Museo de la Nación, piso 6
Av. Javier Prado Este 2465.San Borja, Lima
Tel.: (01) 476-9900
E-mail: inc@inictel.gob.pe
http://inc.perucultural.org.pe
