The process of heritage designation for the Qhapaq Ñan in La Rioja

the case of the Famatina-Vinchina subsection

Abstract

This research analyzes the process nomination of the Inca Trail Subsection as a World Heritage Site in Famatina and Vinchina, two departments in the province of La Rioja, Argentina. Based on socio-political factors and distinctive territorial characteristics, there is a marked contrast in the way communities engage with heritage.In Famatina, the fiscal ownership of the subsection and the historical resistance to mega-mining fostered a strong citizen commitment, in which environmental organizations and local actors recognized in the UNESCO declaration not only thepreservation of a cultural legacy, but also a way to protect the natural resources of Mount Famatina.Meanwhile, in Vinchina, private ownership of the section and the unstable political context influenced a limited participation, which was mainly channelled through municipal and provincial authorities.The modification of government positions on mining and the lack of successful dissemination workshops reduced the social appropriation of the project, making it difficult to assimilate the declaration as an element of local identity.The study of both cases suggests that the effectiveness of international heritage designations depends on both political will and community awareness; when populations perceive the protection of their territory and culture as a collective goal, the process is socially legitimized and strengthened. On the other hand, if there is no shared interest, or institutional instability retracts citizen collaboration, heritage conservation faces serious barriers to achieving sustainable development in the region. In this way, the experience of Famatina and Vinchina highlights the importance of active community participation as a fundamental pillar in the strategies for the management and enhancement of cultural heritage.