 In 1983, Dr. Ciro Palomino and the "Asociación Cultural Apurímac" (Apurimac Cultural Society) presented a petition signed by more than 3000 people from the towns of Abancay and Tamburco urging then President Fernando Belaunde to help in the approval of the laws required to declare the forests of Ampay as a protected natural area.Ampay National Sanctuary was established on 23 July 1987, by decree No.042-87-AG.