RECOVERY OF THE CIRCUIT OF FOUR LAKES an ongoing project in the Peruvian Andes February 2007: Lakes Project is finally being implemented after Rotary International approves matching grant! The First Phase of the Recovery of the Circuit of Four Lakes is being implemented! (September 2007) -Technical assistance is needed, specifically: recycling of solid waste: plastic, pharmaceutical discards, etc...Contact: yachaywasi@nyc.rr.com see: http://www.yachaywasi-ngo.org/lakesproject.htm The Recovery of the Circuit of Four Lakes is registered as a Partnership with the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. NEW: UN Radio (Spanish) interview with Luis Delgado Hurtado, President of Yachay Wasi 19 April 2007 broadcast: El sueno de una organizacion indigena peruana es legar lagos sin contaminacion a la humanidad.... This environmental and educational project is geared to the recovery of the circuit of four lakes located in the province of Acomayo, in the department of Cuzco, in the Andes of Peru. These lakes are Laguna Acopia near the village of Acopia - native village of Yachay Wasi president - , Lagunas Pampamarca and Asnacocha near the village of Mosoqllaqta, Laguna Pomacanchi near the village of Pomacanchi. The villagers and many smaller communities located near these lakes rely on these waters. There are 36 Indigenous communities living near these lakes with a 2002 estimated population of 25,518 inhabitants. The lakes are located at an altitude of 3600 meters. The contamination of these lakes has been a growing problem over the past few years. A study was funded and conducted by Yachay Wasi in August 2004. Work accomplished: Investigation of the extent of contamination of the lakes and of the impact on the environment in the area. Evaluation of the various geographic spaces near the lakes to determine the areas most contaminated. Seven Laboratory tests were performed on the waters of Lake Acopia (near banks and center of lake). During the field work accomplished around the four lakes, coordination was realized with local mayors to establish prior and informed consent. Conclusions of study point to the need to clean the lakes waters and banks of existing solid trash and to prevent further chemical contamination from modern detergents and pharmaceutical discards. Education of communities and establishment of adequate septic tanks and laundry facilities will be a substantial part of the project. Report of Study and Lab results are available in Spanish and translated in English. Project has the goal to clean the lakes waters and banks of these four lakes and to recover the biological diversity, flora and fauna representative of this important site; to educate and assist the communities on way to prevent future contamination, which will include building septic tanks and laundry facilities in some villages.
