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Fundo Mascoitania - History of the Land

1950s
Two thousand hectares of land on the Altro de Dios River was sold by the Peruvian government to a German investor who set up an agricultural co-operative that raised cattle and produced sugar cane (for rum), coffee, and cacao. He named the private reserve 'Fundo Mascoitania'.

1960s
Due to a decline in health, the German proprietor sold the reserve in 1960 to a Peruvian farming cooperative called CAP.

1970s
During the agricultural reform in 1970's the Fundo Mascoitania area was reduced in size to 1,400 hectares of which; 693.34 hectares was determined as land that could be sold or bought privately, and the remaining 706.66 hectares remained land that the Peruvian government entrusted to the care of Fundo Mascoitania as areas of protection and timber production.

1980s
As agricultural competition in Peru increased, the agricultural trade from Manu was unable to compete and in 1982 the Peruvian co-operative sold the 693.34 hectares to a Cusqueñan family.

1990s
The owners maintained and used the land until the early 90's after which the owner abandoned the property. In 1999 the Cusqueñan owner sold approximately 50 hectares of the property to a young Spaniard for tourism purposes.

2000 onwards
In 2002, the remaining 643.39 hectares was sold to Mr. Meyer, the founder of the CREES, who recognised the potential of the various forest types and eco systems to provide an ideal location for rainforest research and education. The concept for the Manu Learning Centre was born.
(Click here to follow the construction of the Manu Learning Centre)

Fundo Mascoitania remains the second largest property in the Rio Alto Madre de Dios, with the largest riverfront area.

In 2002, Pro-Manu (a project co-financed by the European Union and the Peruvian government) identified the steep pre-montane forests of Fundo Mascoitania as ideal for conservation and the protection of soils and local watersheds; and the flatter lowland forest areas of the property close to the Alto Madre de Dios River as suitable for activities such as research, ecotourism development.

    CREES, Calle San Miguel 250, Cusco, Peru    Tel: +51 (0)84 262433    info@crees-manu.org