Mayan Biosphere Reserve
The Mayan Biosphere Reserve ( sp. Reserva de la Biósfera Maya ) is the largest nature reserve in Guatemala . It includes the tropical north of the departments of Petén and extends over an area of 21,602 square kilometers. The reserve was founded in 1990 and is subordinate to the "National Council for Protected Areas " ( Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas , CONAP). It is named after the Mesoamerican Maya people, who have their historical roots in northern Peten.
Zones
The biosphere reserve is located on the territory of the municipalities (from west to east) La Libertad , San Andrés , San José , Flores and Melchor de Mencos . It borders Mexico to the west and north and Belize to the east . In the state of Campeche bordering to the north , the nature reserve continues in the Mexican Calakmul Biosphere Reserve , in the northwest it merges into the smaller Rio Bravo Conservation Area in the Orange Walk District of Belize.
The Biosfera Maya is divided into different zones. The core zone consists of four national parks ( Laguna del Tigre , Sierra del Lacandón , Mirador - Río Azul , Tikal ) and four protected habitats (El Zotz, Naachtun -Dos Lagunas, Cerro Cahuí, Laguna del Tigre Río Escondido). No human settlement is allowed in this 7,670 km² zone, which covers over a third of the total area of the reserve. The exploitation of raw materials is also prohibited.
In the so-called multi-purpose zone (8,484.40 km², 40%) and in the buffer zones (4,975 km², 24%), which are located in the south of the reserve, sustainable forestry is permitted. The government of Guatemala has granted concessions to local communities for this purpose. In 2008 the government presented a plan for sustainable tourism in the region. There are numerous Mayan ruins to visit here, including the famous centers of Tikal, Uaxactun and Yaxha .
In the area of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the government of Guatemala permits the extraction of oil under certain conditions , which means a considerable risk to flora and fauna .
See also
Web links
- Official website of CONAP (span.)
- Description with site plan (PDF; 282 kB)
Coordinates: 17 ° 25 ′ 48 ″ N , 90 ° 53 ′ 26 ″ W.