| Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP) | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 13, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-05-13) |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Jurisdiction | Peru |
| Headquarters | Av. José Galvez Barrenechea N° 696,San Isidro,Lima |
| Employees | 1407 (2023)[1] |
| Annual budget | S/116.2 million (FY 2024)[2] |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Ministry of Environment |
| Website | www.gob.pe/sernanp |
| Map | |
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TheNational Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State (Spanish:Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado;SERNANP) is thepublic agency of thePeruvian State responsible for the direction, management and conservation of theNational System of Protected Natural Areas by the State (SINANPE). SERNANP is affiliated with theMinistry of the Environment. It was created by Legislative Decree No. 1013 on May 2008, replacing the formerNational Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA), which had been established on November 1992 under theMinistry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation.[3][4]
The agency traces its roots to the creation of INRENA on November 1992, tasked with the sustainable management of Peru's natural resources. In response to growing international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and to strengthen legal protection of natural areas, the Peruvian Government enacted the Legislative Decree No. 1013 establishing SERNANP on May 2008.[5] A 2023 report by theConservation Strategy Fund highlighted SERNANP's reform as a model for technical capacity building in Latin American protected-area governance.[6] In 2024, theEnvironmental Investigation Agency documented civil-society opposition to a proposed merger of SERNANP with other ministries, underscoring its perceived independence and effectiveness.[7]
SERNANP oversees the planning, regulation, and protection of areas within SINANPE. Its functions include:[3]
The agency also works with international networks to improve climate resilience and biodiversity conservation, and has been recognized as a technical partner by theUN Climate Technology Centre & Network.[8]
As of 2024, SERNANP administers 246 protected areas, covering approximately 17.9% of Peru's national territory, including both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.[9] These include emblematic sites such as theHistoric Sanctuary of Machu Picchu,Manu National Park, andHuascarán National Park, many of which are recognized byUNESCO asWorld Heritage Sites orBiosphere Reserves.
Scientific studies have found that areas managed by SERNANP are moderately effective at reducing deforestation compared to surrounding unprotected lands, contributing to biodiversity conservation in the Peruvian Amazon.[10] In addition, SERNANP's long-term monitoring and research support contributed to Peru ranking first globally in bird diversity in 2024, with 1,879 species identified.[11]
Despite these achievements, the agency faces persistent challenges. In 2025, controversies emerged over industrial fishing within marine reserves, particularly in the Paracas National Reserve, prompting legal disputes regarding the enforcement of protected status.[12]
SERNANP recorded over 2.1 million recreational visits to protected areas in 2022, reflecting a significant increase from 2021 as tourism rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the most visited sites were coastal reserves, historical sanctuaries, and iconic national parks such as Paracas, Huascarán, and Machu Picchu. The following table lists the most visited areas in 2021 and 2022:[13][a]
| Protected Area | Rank (2021) | Visits (2021) | Rank (2022) | Visits (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guano Islands, Islets, and Capes National Reserve | 1 | 369,111 | 2 | 474,722 |
| Paracas National Reserve | 2 | 281,850 | 1 | 524,004 |
| Huascarán National Park | 3 | 222,107 | 3 | 256,303 |
| Pampas de Ayacucho Historic Sanctuary | 4 | 153,269 | 4 | 217,058 |
| Tingo María National Park | 5 | 118,599 | 5 | 147,922 |
| Lachay National Reserve | 6 | 80,484 | 10 | 30,951 |
| Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu | 7 | 80,436 | 6 | 254,855 |
| Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge | 8 | 28,745 | 8 | 37,507 |
| Huayllay National Sanctuary | 9 | 25,961 | 7 | 52,118 |
| Tambopata National Reserve | 10 | 18,618 | 9 | 56,349 |
Notes: