The main purpose of the National Reserves is to preserve the biological variety and to make good use of the aquatic and ground wild flora and fauna.

In this areas the commercial exploitation of the natural resources are permitted only under supervised and controled plans. Currently, the established National Reserves include a surface of 2,946,686 has, which represents 2,29% of the national territory.

THE NATIONAL RESERVE OF CALIPUY

Calipuy turned into a reserve as commanded on January 8, 1981 by Law (D.S.) N 004-81-AA. It is part of the department of La Libertad, provinces of Santiago de Chuco and Viru, districts of Santiago de Chuco and Chao. It has an area of 64,000 has.

The National Reserve of Calipuy has more than 600 guanacos (Lama guanicoe) living in it.

These are some of the species that are protected by the reserve of Calipu: the puma (Puma concolor), the coastal wolf (Pseudalopex sechurae), the vizcacha (Lagidium peruanum), the spectacted bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the condor (Vultur gryphus), the gallinazo de cabeza roja (Coragyps atratus), the parrot (Aratinga wagleci), the partridge (Notho proeta arnata), the lique lique (Vanellus resplenders) and the Tortola cordillerana (Metriopelia melanoptero). There are reptiles such as the fer de lance (Bothros sp.) and the coral snake (Micrurus sp.).

One of the most important tourist attractions are the archaeological sites like Calipuy.

The main purposes of this National Reserve are to preserve of the guanaco as well as the wild flora and fauna and to promote the scientific research work on natural resources in the area.