Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

The Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras represents one of the few remaining tropical rainforests of Central America

In 1969 the area was placed under protection. Since 1982, the Biosphere Reserve is also part of the World Heritage of UNESCO. As of 1996, it was performed due to a variety of hazards on the Red List of World Heritage. In particular, through to hazard:

• Illegal logging ( Swietenia ) and slash and burn,
• Agriculture and animal husbandry in the south and west of the park,
• Planning of the hydropower plant Patuca II in the vicinity,
• Introduction of alien plant and animal species,
• Inadequate management.

2007 the World Heritage Committee decided to remove the entry, as introduced protection measures apply now.

The Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve covers about 5000 km ², ranging from the Caribbean coast down to 1326 m. It has on the one hand a rich fauna, as well as a rich wildlife (including macaw, jaguar, puma, tapir ).

In the area of the National Park about 2,000 Miskito Indians and Pesch able to preserve their traditional way of life. Petroglyphenfunde prove a long-running history of settlement.