Change came to rainforest isolated areas by opening them to tourism, as in Tambopata in the mid 70's. Now some 50 lodges strive there promoting ecotourism, and in the cloud forest where at Machu Picchu Pueblo a town has emerged prompted by our arrival in 1976. We try to to enhance that ecotourism is 'ECO-logical research and conservation funded by TOURISM'.
The omnipresence of life which happens in Peru, due to its grand bio-diversity and millenary cultures (6000 years old), creates a strong bond which urges you to learn about it as to share it by exposing Peru properly.
Conservation of natural resources and preservation of cultural values may be long lasting only if local communities are involved whilst improving their quality of life, as also that of flora and fauna populations. Ecotourism is the best possibility of sustainable use.
José koechlin von Stein. Peruvian, studies his country as to expose it, since 1971. Sponsors scientific studies, witch have already registered 14 new species to Science as Hyla Koechlini, frog; Greta hermana koechlini, butterfly; and Kefersteinia koechlinurum, orchid. Called an ‘eco pioneer’, incorporates Tambopata (Madre de Dios) and Machu Picchu to ecological research and conservation via sustainable tourism economic income. Outstanding at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, is the world larger number of ant species (Harvard Professor E.O. Wilson); 1,266 botanical species (published by Missouri Botanical Garden/ITA); and ‘Cusco Amazónico’ (by W. Duellman) considered “the baseline against wich all future studies of amazon amphibians and reptiles (and even other organisms) will be compared” (Cornell University press. He produces the ‘Orchids at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’ book, which introduces eight new orchid species to the science.
He presents Peru as a film experience, when co producing the ‘Aguirre, The Wrath of God’ (1972, the first scene filmed at Machu Picchu); then in ‘Burden of Dreams’, and ‘Fitzcarraldo’ (Gold Palm, Cannes, 1982. Inspired in the history of the incorporation of the Madre de Dios region to the Peruvian economy) who is also the author. As chairman of the Peruvian Chamber of Tourism; of the Peruvian Adventure and Ecotourism Association; and of the Peruvian Hotel Society, he has enhanced Peruvian natural and cultural values. He is Director Emeritus, since 1990, of Conservation International, and Chairman & CEO of Inkaterra and Inkaterra Association.
