Mayan Biosphere "Sky Origin” Gets Increased Protection

In Mexico Amigos de Sian Ka´an (Friends of Sian Ka´an) work in diverse programs throughout the reserve.

Mexico boosted the protection of one of its largest reserve with an additional 7 million pesos in funds. The Biosphere Reserve Sia´an Kaan, located in the Yucatana Peninsula source of fresh water, provides climate change protection, hurricane barrier, holds large areas of mangrove forests, homes a treasure of biodiversity both terrestrial and marine and is key for the integral conservation of the Meso-American Reef and part of the Rivera Maya Corridor.

Local press reported on July 6^th that the National Commission of Protected Areas CONANP has invested seven million pesos in conservation works. Local organizations and residents take hands on directly on the programs of the reserve.

Sian Ka´an in the State of Quintana Roo extends over 528 thousand hectares -12 thousand of these are marine protected hectares. The site was designated UNESCO World Heritage in the year 1987.

“In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means 'Origin of the Sky'. Sian Ka´an is one of Mexico's largest protected areas,” UNESCO explains.

The main local leading organization working for the conservation and management of the area is Amigos de Sian Ka´an (Friends of Sian Ka´an). The diversity of life in Sian Ka'an is exceptional and the vast programs of the organization are a symbol of the extension and challenges at hand. Programs range from water programs to reefs, integral regional Tourism, wetlands and rainforests, climate change and several others.

The area is also home to rare natural phenomena include the "Cenotes", water-filled natural sinkholes hosting specialized communities of life and the "Petenes", tree islands emerging from the swamps. The barrier reef and the mangroves provides natural protection for the coast and land.

The main economic activity of the region is eco-tourism. Amigos del Sian Ka´an communicated on July on workshops conducted for the sector. Nine thousand Maya residents grouped under 17 eco-tourism companies are operating today in the reserve. The area receives an important influx of international tourism. Recent workshops concluded that doors could be opened for new science investigations. Eco-tourism continues to be a restricted activity.

CONANP expects to conclude the 1 million USD exercises –funds supported by international organizations for the prevention, restoration and conservation of the protected zone and ecosystem.

Director of the Reserve Omar Ortiz Moreno added that 20 additional conservation programs were approved and will be listed and operating along those in execution.

“Funds have been received…to be applied to the proposals,“ Moreno stated.

Main threats to the Biosphere include unsustainable tourism, land deforestation, endangered species and global climate trends.

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