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“Only science and the scientific soundness of our arguments can defeat the political misuse of some instruments,” concluded Manuel Pulgar Vidal, leader of the Climate and Energy Practice of the World Wildlife Fund – WWF International, during his participation at the VI Meeting on the Road to the Symposium “Productive Development in Basin Headwaters: Myths and Reality”.

Pulgar Vidal, former Minister of the Environment, stated that using headwaters as a generic concept is confusing and pointless. “There is no definition that can unify the very different and differentiated characteristics of the various headwater basins that exist in the national territory”.

In this regard, he pointed out that decision-making processes must be based on scientific information in order to dispel the idea that all headwater basins are the same and vulnerable.

This forum, organized by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy (SNMPE) as part of the activities of the 14th International Gold, Silver and Copper Symposium to be held in Lima next May, also included Martha Ly, leader of the Land and Environment Division of Golder Associates Peru, who stated that headwaters vulnerability has to be addressed in technical terms.

“It is of great interest that these headwaters vulnerability issues are properly addressed, so that doors are not unnecessarily closed to activities since we would be making a mistake if we don’t have done a proper analysis beforehand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vinio Floris, director of the Gerens Center for Water and Environmental Management, said that there is a concern about ecosystems’ vulnerability, although what is important is how to identify and manage risks and mitigation actions.

Specialists Ly and Floris agreed that there is no clear definition yet regarding headwaters vulnerability, and furthermore, they pointed out that the impact of climate change on these zones must be taken into account.

“The studies should comprehensively cover the entire river basin and not just the headwaters,” said Floris, adding that instead of having to draw up lengthy regulations, institutions such as the National Water Authority (ANA) and the National Meteorological Service (Senamhi) must be strengthened so that they are more capable of dealing with these sensitive issues.

Finally, Pulgar Vidal pointed out that the isolated intangibility of river basin headwaters becomes arbitrary in the absence of a technical system with autonomous authority.

Moderator

• Jacqueline Villanueva – Mining Sector Manager at SNMPE

Panelists

• Martha Ly – Lead Manager of the Land and Environment Division of Golder Associates Peru
• Manuel Pulgar Vidal – Climate and Energy Global Practice Leader, World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF International
• Vinio Floris – Director of Gerens Water and Environment Management Center

Relive Meeting IV here