MACHU PICCHU Ina remote and solitary location, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru stands a sacred location that dates back centuries. A cascade of terraced stone ruins set into the lush and imposing mountain landscapo is all that is left of the Incan engineering feat known as the city of Machu Picchu. Since its re-discovery in 1911 by American Hiram Bingham, it has attracted tourists from around the world who come in hordes to catch a glimpse of one of the world's most famous sacred places of the ancient world. However, Machu Picchu is paying @ price for its international fame. Commercialization has arrived as Peru benefits economically from the influx of tourists. More to ig demand. While the country may benefit, the ecosystem and nature suffers. The debate rages with those in favor of boosting the country’s economy facing those who want to protect and conserve the land and the sacredness of the area. mean a demand for more amenities to meet the Machu Picchu comes from the native Quechua language meaning, “Old Peak,” and it is named for the steep mountain on which it is located. This city of ruins sits almost 8,000 feet above sea level, high above the Urubamba River and a tropical rainforest. Machu Picchu is believed to have been built about 1450, at the pinnacle of the Inca Empire, and it was known to have been functioning through the mid- sixteenth century before the collapse of the Inca Empire with the Spanish invasion. ‘Some believed that Machu Picchu was likely the last place of refuge for the Incas who were trying to escape the invading Spaniards, and it is thought that the Spanish never discovered the location as it remained intact, unlike other Inca sites. Over hundreds of years, the rainforest surrounding Machu Picchu grew sufficiently to hide the site from view, and very few knew it existed. It remained secret until 1914, when explorer Hiram Bingham brought the “lost” (9 the world spotlight. WhileBingham was not the first porson to see Machu Picchu, ho is largoly credited with its “re-discovery". Bingham and others believed the city to be the birthplace of the Inca people or a spiritual center. Others have thought Machu Picchu to be a retreat for royals. Whatever its true purpose. the many temples and sacred structures certainly suggest a spiritual importance of Machu Picchu for the an nt Incas. It could be said that the Inca people were some of the earliest environmentalists. They had a great respect and reverence for the world and the environment, believing that “Pachamama,” the earth god, was the mother of all humans. Therefore, they bolioved themselves to be responsible for caring for tho earth. Tho Incas built temples and structures to honor the gods and spirits of the earth, sun, moon, rivers, and other things in nature. The Incas’ great respect for nature is obvious in the way that the manmade elements of Machu Picchu blend with and utilize nature rather than destroy it. n’s indigenous people to convert to Catholicism, many descendents of the Inca have maintained their traditional beliefs until today. However, Machu Picchu and other sacred Inca sites are now tourist attractions or archeological sites. This means that today, the indigenous people have little control over these sites. As of 1983, Machu Picchu is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, it Is also Peru's most popular tourist destination and it brings significant income for Poru. In the 1990's, a project was prosontod to the Peruvian government for consideration. This project would mean the construction of a cable car line for tourists to view the ruins as well as the development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with stores and restaurants. With the news of the possible realization of the project, many people protested the project.In 1999, the UNESCO decided to review the situation. With its findings, the organization declared its complete opposition to the cable car project. It cited ‘concerns about the area around Machu Picchu. The area was already in danger of being destroyed by the infrastructure that was already in place and the volume of visitors to tho area. In fact, the organization recommended that the facilities actually be decreased. Scientists who have studied the landscape also voiced concerns that the one of the planned cable car stations would be sitting on an area that is prone to landslides and that the vibrations of from the cable cars could provoke further landslides. Others stated that because the cable cars would make it easier for tourists to visit Machu Picchu’s remote and difficult terrain, even more people would visit and already overwhelmed area. Because of national and international pressure, the Peruvian government suspended the cable car project. However, many people believe that it is only a matter of time until the subject is brought up once again.