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BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) \u2014 Peru\u2019s government has reversed its controversial decision to shrink the protected area<\/a> surrounding the Nazca Lines, which had faced criticism for opening the area to informal miners.<\/p>\n The country’s culture ministry on Sunday nullified last week’s resolution that had reinstated the boundary map set in 2004. The switch followed severe backlash after the government approved a 42% reduction in the zone \u2014 about 2,400 square kilometers (926 square miles) \u2014 and to allow miners to seek formal permits<\/a> in previously restricted areas.<\/p>\n The original protected zone \u2014 spanning 5,600 square kilometers (2,162 square miles) \u2014 will remain in effect. The ministry also ordered an update of the site\u2019s management plan within 10 days and the formation of a technical panel, which will include government representatives, academics, UNESCO, and civil society figures to define future use and conservation strategies.<\/p>\n The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site<\/a>, home to the Nazca Lines \u2014 massive geoglyphs etched into the desert over 1,500 years ago \u2014 and one of Peru\u2019s most fragile desert ecosystems.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to the strong rejection by national and international public opinion, the government revoked the reduction of the area of the Nazca Archaeological Reserve,\u201d Mariano Castro, Peru\u2019s former vice minister of the environment, told The Associated Press.<\/p>\n Castro said the government justified its decision by saying it had not previously discussed its decision publicly.<\/p>\n \u201cIn other words, it (the government) does not go so far as to admit the measure was wrong, despite evidence of the presence of illegal mining, which seriously endangers and threatens the integrity of the Nazca Lines and petroglyphs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The ministry said a new government entity will be created to oversee the site\u2019s management, and technical studies will be published to ensure transparency and accountability.<\/p>\n Peruvian environmental lawyer, C\u00e9sar Ipenza, who follows the issue closely, welcomes the technical panel, which will include local authorities, but he still has concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cThe truth is that the local authority is actually the one that has been calling for the reduction of the boundaries of the Nazca Lines,\u201d Ipenza told the AP. \u201cThere will also be strong pressure from miners for this to go ahead.”<\/p>\n Ipenza is concerned that informal mining has been steadily expanding in the area, even though all mining activity is officially banned.<\/p>\n \u201cThe government hasn\u2019t taken action to remove these miners and as a result, there has been pressure to officially open the area to allow informal and illegal miners to become formalized,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The AP contacted UNESCO for comment. The organization said it would aim to provide information on Tuesday, as Monday was a public holiday in France, where it is headquartered.<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n The Associated Press\u2019 climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP\u2019s standards<\/a> for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n