Maya Biosphere Reserve

The Maya Biosphere Reserve (sp. Reserve of the Biosphere Maya ) is the largest protected area in Guatemala. It includes the tropical north of the department of Petén, and covers an area of ​​21,602 km ². The reserve was founded in 1990 and is under the " National Council for Protected Areas " ( Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas, CONAP ). It is named after the Mesoamerican Mayan people, which in the northern Petén has its historical roots.

Zones

The biosphere reserve is located in the area of ​​municipios (from west to east) La Libertad, San Andres, San José, Flores and Melchor de Mencos. In the west and north it is bordered by Mexico, on the east by Belize. In the northern border state of Campeche, the natural reserve of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican continues, in the north- west it goes into the smaller Rio Bravo Conservation Area in the Orange Walk District of Belize over.

The Maya Biosphere 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 biotopes (El Zotz, Naachtun - Dos Lagunas, Cerro Cahuí, Laguna del Tigre Río Escondido ). In this 7670 km ² large area that includes a more than a third of the total area of the reserve, no human settlements are allowed. Also the exploitation of raw materials is prohibited.

In the so-called multi-purpose zone ( 8484.40 km ², 40%) and in the buffer zones ( 4975 km ², 24%), which lie in the south of the reserve is sustainable forestry allowed. The Guatemalan government has granted local communities for this purpose, corresponding licenses. 2008, the government presented a plan for a sustainable tourism in the region. There are numerous Mayan ruins to visit, including the famous centers of Tikal, Uaxactún and Yaxha.

In the area of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the Guatemalan government allows, under certain conditions, the production of oil, which means a significant risk to flora and fauna.