Ministry of the Environment opens spaces for dialogue with mountaineers

On June 22, 2017, a space for dialogue with representatives of associations, clubs and mountain athletes was opened at the Ministry of the Environment (MAE) facilities, with the purpose of informing the MAE's procedure for access to Protected areas, especially those where tourism, recreation and adventure sports are practiced; In particular the mountaineering modality. Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM), the Andean Federation of Ecuador (FEDAN), the Andinismo Club of the Central University of Ecuador, Associations of Mountain guides, independent mountaineers, among others.
Santiago Silva, National Director of Biodiversity of the Ministry of the Environment, clarified that the entrance to the protected areas is free for any visitor and recalled that since 2012, norms for the mountain modality have been established, within which it is detailed that those mountaineers who Did not perform the activity for profit, did not require the services of a specialized guide. "There are certain requirements that must be met for security reasons, such as the registration of income, respect schedules and routes, and fill out forms depending on the protected area and type of activity to be carried out," he said.

The National System of Protected Areas have a Visitor Management Plan (PMV) and the Biodiversity Information System (SIB); Institutional instruments that allow tourism and recreation activities to develop properly, generating a less impact on the natural spaces and above all provide security and a better experience for the visitor.

Frank García, representative of mountaineers, expressed his agreement with the regulations established by this Portfolio of State and other entities; As well as the commitment to be part of the development of strategies to help strengthen mountaineering activity in Ecuador.

The Environmental Authority is committed to strengthening the system of entry and registration of visitors to protected areas; Inform the actions, processes, regulations and instruments that allow the private visitor to have the greatest accessibility to the natural spaces, complying with the regulations of each destination.