US EditionPeru's Nazca Lines Face New Threats After Protected Area Reduction | Science-Environment
- In June 2025, Peru’s government downsized the protected zone encompassing the Nazca Lines, cutting it from 5,600 square kilometers to 3,200 square kilometers near Lima.
- The Culture Ministry based this reduction on studies that identified zones of actual patrimonial value, amid concerns about informal mining threats.
- Over 800 geoglyphs dating back more than 1,500 years now face increased risks from 362 small-scale gold miners operating under a regularization programme in Nazca.
- Archaeologist Pieter Van Dalen called the reduction "very regrettable" and warned informal mining in and around the area poses the main threat to the Nazca Lines.
- The reduction raises fears the fragile geoglyphs could become more vulnerable amid informal mining that contributes up to 40% of Peru's gold exports and ongoing regulatory gaps.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Peru's Nazca Lines Face New Threats After Protected Area Reduction | Science-Environment
Peru's government reduced the protected area around the Nazca Lines, sparking concerns over vulnerability to informal mining. This move decreased the zone from 5,600 to 3,200 square kilometers. Authorities and critics fear this change may increase illegal mining, which currently threatens the historic geoglyphs.
The Straits Times
The Star Kuala LumpurPeru's Nazca Lines face mining threat after protected area slashed
LIMA - Peru's government has significantly reduced the protected area around its famed Nazca Lines, a move critics and archaeologists fear could leave the ancient geoglyphs vulnerable to hundreds of nearby informal mining operations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
For decades, the extensive territory of the Nazca pampas has been closely monitored by archaeologists, authorities and local communities. The Archaeological Reserve, recognized internationally for protecting the famous lines and geoglyphs, has just been significantly modified. The Ministry of Culture of Peru (Mincul), after a long-term technical review, cut the official area of the reserve from approximately 5,600 to 3,200 square kilometers. The…
Nazca Lines' protected area reduction in Peru could expose site to mining damage
The recent decision by Peru's government to reduce the protected zone around the Nazca Lines from 5,600km2 to 3,200km2 has raised concerns about the potential threat to the ancient geoglyphs from nearby mining operations.The post Nazca Lines’ protected area reduction in Peru could expose site to mining damage appeared first on Mining Technology.
The Peruvian government has significantly reduced the area around the famous Nazca Lines. This measure leads experts to fear that it could make the ancient geoglyphs vulnerable to informal mining activities. The Peruvian Ministry of Culture last week reduced the area from 5,600 to 3,200 square kilometers and justified this by topographic and archaeological studies that reduced the areas with [...] The post Protected Area: Peru's Nazca Lines Thre…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
