This study investigates the relationship between municipal management and sustainable tourism in an urban protected area, specifically the Los Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge in Lima, Peru. The research adopts a quantitative, correlational, non-experimental, cross-sectional design, focusing on a sample of 67 employees from the Municipal Authority. A probabilistic sampling technique was employed to select the sample from a population of 80 workers. Data were collected through two separate questionnaires, each tailored to measure one of the key variables, with responses recorded on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. The study area, Los Pantanos de Villa, is an urban protected area situated in a densely populated region where challenges such as pollution, waste management, and urban sprawl exert significant pressure on environmental sustainability. Findings revealed that 88.06% of respondents assessed municipal management in the protected area as "good," while 76.12% rated sustainable tourism positively. Statistical analysis revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.590, with a p-value of 0.000, indicating a significant positive correlation between effective municipal management and the promotion of sustainable tourism. These results emphasize the crucial role of municipal governance in enhancing both environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism development within urban protected areas. Effective management practices can contribute to balancing the dual objectives of ecological conservation and urban development, thereby fostering a sustainable tourism model in highly urbanised contexts. This study underscores the importance of governance frameworks in mitigating urban pressures and advancing sustainability in Natural Protected Area (NPA).
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has become increasingly significant in Ecuador, contributing to rural employment and economic stability. However, its environmental consequences, particularly those related to illegal mining and the discharge of untreated waste into water bodies, have raised concerns regarding water quality deterioration. The present study investigates heavy metal contamination in six rivers (Siete, Pagua, Fermín, Villa, Guanache, and 9 de Octubre) within the Ponce Enríquez mining district, where elevated concentrations of heavy metals have been detected. To facilitate the development of effective remediation strategies, an integrated statistical analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationships between pollutants and their potential sources. The methodology encompassed (i) an extensive review of water quality data, (ii) a statistical correlation analysis of predominant heavy metals, and (iii) an evaluation of environmental management approaches. The findings indicate that the Villa, Siete, Fermín, and Guanache rivers exhibit particularly high concentrations of aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), with contamination levels intensifying during the wet season due to runoff and the influence of the geological composition of the study area. Strong positive correlations (r>0.8) were observed between Fe-Pb, Fe-Al, and Pb-Al in both dry and wet seasons, suggesting that mining activities, mineralogical characteristics of the region, and agricultural runoff contribute to heavy metal accumulation. Based on these findings, sustainable remediation techniques are proposed to mitigate contamination and enhance water quality. The implementation of these measures is expected to facilitate the gradual improvement of riverine ecosystems while promoting economic diversification within the Ponce Enríquez mining district.
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