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mapping project - project area
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Project Area
The Cordillera Huayhuash (literally the mountain range of the weasel) lies in the Andean Range of Peru forming a part of the continental divide that runs the length of the Andes. It covers an area of approximately 705 km2, contains six peaks above 6000 (20,000ft) meters (including Yerupaja, 6634m, the second highest peak in Perú), around fifteen peaks over 5000 meters, approximately 100km2 of permanent glaciers, 10 large lakes, numerous small lakes, and numerous small watersheds that drain into two large river basins; The Huayaga draining to the Amazon, and the Pativilca draining to the Pacific (see map).
The bounds of the region lie within 76° 40’ west and 77° 05’ west and 10° 8’ south and 10° 27’ south. On the map the Cordillera Huayhuash is situated across three political departments in Peru; Ancash, Lima, and Huánuco and is located between three regional centers of Chiquian, Cajatambo, and Baños (in the respective departments). The most accessible and largest Department Capital is Huaraz (of the department Ancash), located about two hours travel to the north of the Huayhuash. The altitudes of the area range from about 3000m (10,000ft) to over 6600m (21,700ft) with most of the population living between 3000m to 4500m. The climate is a high altitude tropical climate meaning that there are definite rainy and non-rainy seasons with relatively moderate temperatures (the snow level is around 5000m) that do not vary greatly over the year.
The Huayhuash is difficult to reach and has remained relatively undisturbed until recent years during which the rapid growth of the tourism and mining industries has brought new roads and heavier use. The traditional warders of the Cordillera Huayhuash are the Quechua Indians (with Inca and Pre-Inca roots). Approximately 3000 people live in the area and the majority are Quechua. Their lifestyle is rich in culture and custom and is well adapted to the delicate environment in which they live. For the most part they practice subsistence agriculture but are being rapidly influenced from the outside pressures of mining and tourism that grow daily.
The Cordillera Huayhuash is rich in natural resources with the most important being fresh water that runs to the Amazon and to the coastal cities of Peru. The second most important resource is the natural beauty of the area. The region is the home, amongst others, to the threatened andean condor (Vultur gryphus), the vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), the vizcacha (Lagidium peruanum), the zorro (Pseudalopex culpaeus), the oso de anteojos (Tremarctos ornatus), various bird species, and the endemic species of tree, the Quenal (Polylepis spp.). The area attracts large numbers of trekkers and climbers who want to experience the unique beauty and challenges of the region. Tourism, with good development policy, could be a large sustainable industry for the Cordillera Huayhuash. The third large resource are the mineral deposits of mostly copper and zinc. Although there is great value in these deposits, unmanaged extraction will be a short term endeavor and will destroy the other two resources mentioned above.
Depending whether boundary errors are counted or not, the entire range of mountains is the private property of nine communities; some of the land titles are up to date and others need correcting and GIS registration (through the office of PETT in Lima). From this group of communities, the Centro Desarrollo Huayhuash is working with Pacllon, Llamac, Queropalca, Jesus, San Miguel de Cauri, Tupac Amaru and Urumaza; only the communities of Huayllapa and Pocpa are not yet participating. It is expected that Pocpa will participate in the upcoming activities. The Centro is also inviting communities who own lands on the outskirts of the range to participate including Quero, Mahuay, Quisipata, Villalta, Pomapata, and Quichas.
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If you want more information about the project please ask us at cdhuayhuash@huaylas.com.
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