Peru has a key tool for the conservation of its forests: the Geobosques platform, operated by the Minam Forest Program with satellite technology.
Since 2016, this system has continuously monitored 67.5 million hectares, equivalent to the total of the country’s Amazonian rainforests.
Technology for Conservation
According to Daniel Castillo, head of the Forest Monitoring Area, the system uses:
- High-resolution satellite images.
- Specialized software for data processing.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Thanks to these tools, early warnings about forest loss are generated, information that is essential for territorial planning, surveillance, and conservation.
So far in 2025, 19 early warning packages have been published nationwide. Access to Geobosques is free and open to all citizens (www.geobosques.minam.gob.pe), ensuring transparency and data availability for decision-making.
Currently, more than 6,700 users are subscribed to the alert system and receive personalized notifications about changes in their areas of interest.
Regional Monitoring Offices
The Forest Program has implemented three regional offices in Huánuco, Puno, and Amazonas, with an approximate investment of S/1.7 million. These offices allow direct monitoring of 5.6 million hectares of Amazonian rainforests.
By the end of 2025, it is projected to open three new decentralized offices in Loreto, Junín, and Pasco, expanding the monitoring network and strengthening the technical capacity of regional governments.
Importance of Peruvian Forests
Peru’s Amazonian forests are fundamental for the country’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Ecological and Environmental Benefits
- Climate change mitigation: they act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 and regulating the global climate.
- Water cycle regulation: they retain water, prevent erosion, form clouds, and ensure the provision of fresh water. The Amazon concentrates 97% of the country’s fresh water.
- Biodiversity: they host thousands of animal and plant species, many unique, that maintain the balance of ecosystems.
Economic and Social Benefits
- Natural resources: they provide wood, food, and medicinal plants, essential for the subsistence of local communities.
- Sustainable development: ecotourism, such as bird watching, generates income and promotes conservation.
- Sustainable forest management: allows for certified wood and responsible resource use.
- Culture and heritage: the forests are home to indigenous peoples who keep their cultures and ancestral knowledge alive.
Persisting Threats
Despite their importance, forests face increasing risks:
- Deforestation: the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in Peru.
- Diseases: degraded ecosystems facilitate the proliferation of pathogens.
- Climate change: phenomena such as heatwaves and intense rains affect both rural and urban communities.
The continuous monitoring of the Amazonian forests through Geobosques represents a significant advancement in Peru’s environmental management. By integrating satellite technology, regional offices, and citizen participation, the country strengthens its ability to detect threats, conserve biodiversity, and ensure the well-being of local communities.
Forests are not just a natural resource: they are sources of life, culture, and hope. Their protection is key to facing climate change and ensuring a sustainable future.
