From now on, anyone who wants to go up La Peña de Bernal in Queretaro, will have to pay 30 pesos, as part of the conservation program of the area that seeks the generation of resources for the maintenance of the monolith, which according to authorities of the Ezequiel Montes municipality, has suffered damage and looting from visitors for years.
In this sense, the tourism director of the municipality, Jazmín Hernández, reported that ever since Bernal received the appointment of Magic Town and is now distinguished with the Intangible Heritage of Humanity recognition, the number of visitors to La Peña has increased substantially, a situation that has generated severe damage to both the rock, and the flora and fauna of the area, especially due to the looting of small parts of the monolith, and endemic species of plants.
Given this situation the director of Tourism announced that with this conservation plan for La Peña de Bernal, seeks to collect the necessary income that will immediately be used for improvement actions and maintenance tasks. The general admission rate will be 30 pesos; while children under 10 years of age, as well as adults over 60 and residents of Ezequiel Montes will enjoy free access.
As for mountaineers and cliff hangers, the fee will be 1,500 pesos per person, because the instruments (hooks, ropes, chains) used to climb La Peña damage both the rock and the flora and fauna, “According to a study conducted by the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ) the nests of native falcons of La Peña de Bernal have been severely affected by climbers, ” explained the tourism director.
Planning to visit La Peña de Bernal? There’s a new 30 peso admission fee. (Photo: diariodequeretaro.com.mx)
The official pointed out that local guides charge the climbers excessive fees without contributing anything to the municipality of Ezequiel Montes, “They have been benefited for more than ten years, since the monolith was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity, but now the municipal government will handle those visitors ” Hernandez added.
“It is absolutely necessary to generate economic resources and use them in conservation works and actions at La Peña de Bernal. The access path needs to be rehabilitated, since it is in poor condition, garbage collection service needs to be implemented, as well as reforestation actions with native plants and soil improvement, ” Jazmin Hernandez concluded.
SMT Newsroom with information from diariodequeretaro.com.mx
