Last updated: May 2025
The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge is a natural oasis in the heart of Lima. It is considered a marsh of international Ramsar importance, as it is home to a large number of species of flora and fauna. It includes 5 bodies of water with about 210 species of birds, 13 species of fish, and 5 species of amphibians and reptiles, among others (1). It was created in 2006, by Supreme Decree N°055-2006-AG, which established the definitive category for the Pantanos de Villa, under the name of The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (2). This protected area was established over an area of 263.27 ha, and its main goal is to conserve a representative sample of the Marshes of the Subtropical Pacific Desert, including important plant communities, as well as migratory and resident avifauna, focusing mainly on species with some degree of threat (1, 2, 6). In 2016, a Master Plan was approved aimed at strengthening the conservation of the biological diversity of this coastal marsh and ensuring conditions to promote inter-institutional cooperation and participatory management, including neighbours, authorities, municipalities and interested institutions (2). This Master Plan establishes environmental, economic and cultural indicators defined to be met over 5 years. These are focused on protecting water resources, conserving migratory and resident bird species, ensuring the conservation of the cattail, promoting tourism and recreational activities, fostering environmental awareness activities and engaging citizens in the management of the Refuge (2) This plan seeks to confront a series of threats that endanger the conservation of this ecosystem. Among the main problems are the illegal extraction of natural resources, such as cattail; the improper use of the space for activities such as bonfires, consumption of illicit substances and pet walks; the change in land use due to urban expansion; pollution from effluent discharges and solid waste disposal; and illegal fishing (2)
Views from one of the educational trails called the Traditional Trail
PROHVILLA
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Improvements to water quality
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Poor water quality
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Rapid urbanization
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Over-exploitation of natural resources (water resources, overgrazing, fisheries, mangroves, fore products)
- Other
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Protection of riparian vegetation, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Restoration of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Protection of natural ecosystems, Protecton and enhancement of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Habitat conservation, Creating nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, or biodiversity hotspots to conserve unique ecosystems, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Re-design of existing NBS governance or management approaches, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities
Project objectives
- To conserve a representative sample of the Subtropical Pacific Desert swamp (1)
- To maintain the dynamics of the Pantanos de Villa water system (2)
- To maintain the bird populations and population dynamics (2)
- To maintain the ecological conditions of the habitats of migratory and resident bird species (2)
- To promote the sustainable use of cattail (2)
- To increase environmental awareness in the buffer zone of the RVS Los Pantanos de Villa (2)
- To enhance and increase citizen participation in the management of the Los Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (2, 6)
- To provide conditions for biodiversity research (6).
- Maintain the landscape to encourage educational and tourism activities in selected areas (2, 6)
- To conserve scenic beauty and water bodies (6)
Implementation activities
A Master Plan 2016-2020 was approved, which seeks to prioritise environmental, ecological and cultural aspects in the management of the Refuge. Thus, this plan has granted authorisations for the use of the bulrush, accompanied by a monitoring and control system to regulate access to the marsh (2). Guided birdwatching tours have been established along 1.5 km of trails, and educational and cultural activities have been strengthened for the different strategic stakeholders (1). Environmental education activities such as talks, educational games and puppet shows are planned for various educational institutions in the buffer zone. The information provided in the talks is oriented towards the conservation of natural resources (2).
To this end, local stakeholders have been identified and mapped to enhance citizen participation in the management of Páramo de Villa (2). Environmental monitoring of plant and animal communities has been carried out, as well as solid waste management initiatives and treatment of canals and drains to protect water bodies (2).
Activities have been developed to involve children, surveillance personnel from the surrounding municipalities, neighbours and students to strengthen conservation knowledge and skills, increase environmental protection and disseminate environmental education through them (7, 8, 9, 10).
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
- Means for conservation governance
- Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
- Raise public awareness
- Public engagement
- Capacity building
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
- Co-management/Joint management
- Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
- Citizen monitoring and review
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
National Service of Natural Areas Protected (SERNANP): initiating and implementing actor (1, 2)
National Institute of Natural Resources- INRENA, public and private institutions: financing actors (6). The following actors are highlighted as contributors to the operational costs of the proposed activities (SERNANP, PROHVILLA, National Wetlands Committee, Municipal Environmental Commission) (2)
Municipal Authority of Pantanos de Villa-PROHVILLA (part of the Municipality of Lima): conducting and developing tourist activities, and responsible actor for the Environmental Control and Surveillance System (2)
Comité de Gestión Páramo de Villa (Management Committee): formed by public and private institutions (not specified) as well as local inhabitants: in charge of the management, protection and conservation of Los Pantanos de Villa, as well as the execution of dissemination and awareness-raising activities (2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The creation of the Pantanos de Villa Refuge is based on the General Law on the Environment, the Law on Protected Natural Spaces, and the National Strategy for Protected Natural Spaces Plan (6))
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships), Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city), Other
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Corporate investment
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Membership or entrance fees
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increase in protected green space areas
- Achieved increase in protected green space areas
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Achieved reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
- Increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Achieved increased presence and recovery of wild species
Economic impacts
- Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- More sustainable tourism
- Achieved more sustainable tourism
- Generation of income from NBS
- Achieved generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Peruvian Government (2019). Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Pantanos de Villa. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Ministry of Environment (2016). Plan Maestro del Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Pantanos de Villa 2016-2020. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Chorrillos Municipality (n.d.). Ubicación y Población. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (2020). Planos Estratificados de Lima Metropolitana a Nivel de Manzanas 2020. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
5.
PROHVILLA (n.d.). Pantanos de Villa. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
6.
SPDA (2006). Decreto Supremo Nº 055-2006-AG. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
7.
PROHVILLA (n.d.). Pasantía. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
8.
PROHVILLA (n.d.). Niños Guardianes. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
9.
PROHVILLA (n.d.). Promotoría Ambiental Comunitaria. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
10.
PROHVILLA (n.d.). Serenos Ecológicos. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
11.
León Sulca, W. (2019). GOBERNANZA AMBIENTAL Y CONSERVACIÓN: LAS GESTIONES DEL SERNANP Y PROHVILLA EN EL REFUGIO DE VIDA SILVESTRE LOS PANTANOS DE VILLA, Y LAS ACCIONES PARA SU CONSERVACIÓN. Accessed on September 11, 2024, [Source link];
Picture of an alcaravan, species found in the marshes
PROHVILLA
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.