17:36 | Lima, Jun. 02 (ANDINA).
The International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme has added the biosphere reserve of Oxapampa-Asháninka-Yanesha in Peru to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), which now numbers 564 sites in 109 countries.
The decision to include the Peruvian reserve along with other 12 new sites and five extensions was taken during the 22nd session of the International Coordination Council, which took place from 31 May to 4 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Reserves were inscribed in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe for the first time this year. Sweden and the United Kingdom for their part decided to withdraw two sites from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves - Lake Torne and Taynish respectively - because they do not meet the criteria set out in the Seville Strategy of 1995.
Biosphere Reserves are areas designated under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to serve as places to test different approaches to integrated management of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine resources and biodiversity. Biosphere Reserves are thus sites for experimenting with and learning about sustainable development.
Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha is part of the country’s Amazonian high forest region. Although classified as a conservation hotspot, the region is under intense pressure from human activities such as deforestation, causing loss of biological diversity.
To address these issues, the biosphere reserve has developed participatory management processes involving regional authorities, NGOs and the local population.
The presence of indigenous cultures, such as the Yánesha and Asháninka, helps preserve ancestral knowledge in managing natural resources. Sustainable development initiatives include progressive adoption of agro-forestry and promotion of eco-tourism and artisanal crafts.
(END) INT/EEP
Publicado: 2/6/2010