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Cordillera
Azul
The Cordillera Azul National Park was created as a result of the definitive demarcation and categorization process of Biabo-Cordillera Azul Reserved Zone. After this process was over, the zone corresponding to Cordillera Azul was declared National Park by Supreme Decree Nº 031-2001-AG on May 21st, 2001, with an area of 1'353,190.84 hectares.
 This National Park is located among the provinces of Bellavista, Picota and San Martín (San Martín region); the province of Ucayali (Loreto region); the province of Padre Abad (Ucayali region); and the province of Leoncio Prado (Huanuco region).
This Park protects a number of unique species, biological communities, and geological formations, which are typical of the Premountain and Mountain Forests in the Cordillera Azul Complex where headwaters and intact river basins can be found. Besides, thanks to the creation of this Park, it was possible to develop an integrated and balanced management of natural resources in adjacent zones.
The Cordillera Azul National Park shows varied relief forms such as a mountain range, hillsides, plateaus, depressions, steppes, hills, and plains. Several ravines and rivers are born in these mountains and then run outside the protected area. This varied relief forms make up a singular and particularly beautiful landscape.
There are two kinds of climates in this zone, mainly because of the altitudinal gradient and the rain distribution: the warm and humid climate of the tropical jungle, and the mild and rainy climate of the high jungle. The mixture of climate, relief, and land creates 7 living zones; three of them are transitional. These living zones are: tropical humid forest, tropical very humid forest transition to tropical premountain pluvial forest, tropical premountain very humid forest, tropical premountain very humid forest transition to tropical humid forest, tropical premountain pluvial forest, and tropical premountain pluvial forest transition to tropical very humid forest.
In this protected area, there are different habitats and types of forests which host many vegetable forms such as trees, palm trees, reeds, lianas, bushes, herbs, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, moss, hepatic, algaes, and others.
Among the most important tree species in this zone, with unquestionable commercial value, we must stand out: the mahogany (Swietenia
macrophylla), the cedar (Cederla spp.), the ishipingo,
(Amburana cearensis), the tornillo (Cedrelinga
catenaeformis), palo ajo or ajos kiro (Cordia
alliodora); palm trees like the tagua (Phytelephas macrocarpa) and the huasai
(Euterpe precatoria); as well as lianas like the cat's claw or uña de gato
(Uncaria tomentosa).
The National Park fauna is represented by several species of fish, toads, frogs and snakes, as well as by tortoises like the motelo
(Geochelone denticulata), and the white caiman (Caiman
sclerops). The birds most frequently seen in this zone because of their size are the paujiles
(Crax tuberosa), the blue-throated piping guan (Pipile cumanenses) and the pucacunga
(Penélope jacquacu), besides the parrots (Ara spp.)
and other taxonomic groups.
Among the most representative mammals, we have the otorongo
(Pantera onca), the spectacled bear (Tremarctos
ornatus), the lowland tapir or forest cow (sachavaca or Tapirus
terrestris), and the white-lipped peccary (Tayassu
pecari). Some monkey species such as the woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) and the black spider monkey or maquisapa (Ateles
paniscus); besides other species of animals such as the giant otter or river wolf
(Pteronura brasiliensis), anteaters, squirrels, bats, and armadillos.
The Cordillera Azul National Park is a very important protected area for the science because several new flora and fauna species have been found there; besides, it hosts unsusual and lesser-known plants in special enviroments.
The aim of this National Park is the protection of endangered habitats, such as the high-altitude swamps, biological communities in acid rocks, spongy forests and elfin forests, hills of eroded red stones, forest hills and hillsides, isolated lakes, streams and high-elevation rivulets.
The Cordillera Azul National Park is more than just an amusement park; it is a huge area aimed at permanently protecting landscapes, mountains, water, animals, and plants, as these treasures belong to all Peruvian people, and particularly to the neighbors in this zone. However, to preserve the Park means for them to make a lot of sacrifices as they are not allowed to have small farms or greenhouses, neither can they cut down trees, fish or hunt animals. If we are to adapt our living habits to the zone, neighbors and users will have to reach agreements within a change process jointly planned to harmoniously coexist next to the park.
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