Is Machu Picchu Being Managed Sustainably
Is Machu Picchu being managed sustainably?
Machu Picchu is in the Peruvian Andes, more than 2,400 metres above sea level (see figure A). The ruins are on a high ridge, surrounded on three sides by the Urubamba River approximately 610m below. Built by the Inca civilisation in the middle of the 15th century, it was abandoned in the early 16th century due to the Spanish invading the continent. It is thought that they never found Machu Picchu. No one knows what the site was actually used for and how it was built as the Incas had no written language, so it remains a mystery.
Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Birmingham after he was lead up there by a Peruvian guide. The invading Spanish never discovered Machu Picchu, which helped preserve and keep the site isolated for many centuries. However, today Machu Picchu is far from isolated with hundreds of thousands of people visiting the ruins every year. Naturally, this puts pressure on the ancient city, but what pressures is Machu Picchu put under?
In 2001, Machu Picchu became a wonder of the modern world, sharply increasing visitor numbers. In 1980 there were roughly 150,000 visitors yet in 2009 there were approximately 850,000 visitors (see figure B). Up to 2,000 people visit the ruins every single day, with the vast majority being foreign visitors. The number of visitors reached a historic high in 2008, with 858,211 people visiting Machu Picchu. These high numbers of visitors put a strain on local resources. Tourist’s feet are slowly eroding away the ancient site and the Inca Trail, as well as cutting down timber for fuel. This loss of trees increases erosion by rain and often leads to landslides in the area.
The high tourist numbers can also be a good thing. It’s providing jobs for many local people, but the jobs are not usually well paid. With the increase of people in the area, local property values and the prices of goods increase. Local people can’t afford to pay the entrance fee and enjoy one of their
Machu Picchu is in the Peruvian Andes, more than 2,400 metres above sea level (see figure A). The ruins are on a high ridge, surrounded on three sides by the Urubamba River approximately 610m below. Built by the Inca civilisation in the middle of the 15th century, it was abandoned in the early 16th century due to the Spanish invading the continent. It is thought that they never found Machu Picchu. No one knows what the site was actually used for and how it was built as the Incas had no written language, so it remains a mystery.
Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Birmingham after he was lead up there by a Peruvian guide. The invading Spanish never discovered Machu Picchu, which helped preserve and keep the site isolated for many centuries. However, today Machu Picchu is far from isolated with hundreds of thousands of people visiting the ruins every year. Naturally, this puts pressure on the ancient city, but what pressures is Machu Picchu put under?
In 2001, Machu Picchu became a wonder of the modern world, sharply increasing visitor numbers. In 1980 there were roughly 150,000 visitors yet in 2009 there were approximately 850,000 visitors (see figure B). Up to 2,000 people visit the ruins every single day, with the vast majority being foreign visitors. The number of visitors reached a historic high in 2008, with 858,211 people visiting Machu Picchu. These high numbers of visitors put a strain on local resources. Tourist’s feet are slowly eroding away the ancient site and the Inca Trail, as well as cutting down timber for fuel. This loss of trees increases erosion by rain and often leads to landslides in the area.
The high tourist numbers can also be a good thing. It’s providing jobs for many local people, but the jobs are not usually well paid. With the increase of people in the area, local property values and the prices of goods increase. Local people can’t afford to pay the entrance fee and enjoy one of their