Machu Picchu is a world wonder. The stone city is high on a mountain. People built it more than 500 years ago. But they left the site behind. Today, visitors come to see Machu Picchu. And officials just shared a plan to protect the historic treasure. They want to use trees.
Machu Picchu is in Peru. There’s a protected zone around the site. It is 135 square miles (350 sq. km). That’s as big as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Animals live around Machu Picchu. They include llama-like creatures called guanacos.
People want to keep this spot safe. They include Martín Vizcarra. He’s Peru’s president. “We’re here to begin the planting of a million trees,” he told reporters this month. The plan is to put the plants all over Machu Picchu’s zone. Vizcarra called this a promise from “all the citizens who want to protect this world wonder.”
But why would planting a million trees help? It can prevent mudslides. This area gets rainy. Rainfall can cause erosion in the land. Sometimes, wet soil gives way. It starts slipping on the slope. This mudslide then rushes downward. Trees can help stop mudslides. Their roots can hold soil in place. The plants can also suck up rainwater to cut down on mud.
Other rules protect the site from getting too many visitors. Fewer than 6,000 people are allowed into the city each day. They can spend only four hours at the site.
Experts aren’t sure why people left Machu Picchu. Officials want visitors to check it out in the future!
Updated January 20, 2020, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Ryan Cramer
