Belize, Mexico and Guatemala present plan to protect 5.7 million hectares of Great Maya Forest

By Zoila Palma:  Belize, Mexico and Guatemala are advancing a regional strategy to strengthen the conservation of the Great Maya Forest, with the three countries presenting a Regional Action Plan aimed at protecting more than 5.7 million hectares of forest and surrounding ecosystems.

The plan was presented on August 15 in Caracol, Belize, during the first Great Maya Forest Day and one year after the signing of the Calakmul Declaration.

The initiative brings together ecosystems, communities and a rich biocultural heritage that spans national borders and supports more than two million people across the region.

According to Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), the three countries recognize that the Maya Forest forms a continuous ecological territory, meaning that environmental threats and conservation challenges extend beyond national boundaries.

“The Selva Maya is one of the most critical ecosystems in the Americas. Unwavering regional teamwork will be key to ensure proper cross-border conservation of its 5.7 million hectares of forest and sustainable development for local communities across the three nations.

The European Union in recent years has provided significant financial support through various programmes to preserve and protect the Selva Maya. We remain committed to working with all three countries to turn the Calakmul Declaration’s landmark regional vision into lasting impact on the ground for communities, local economies and conservation alike,” the European Union in Belize noted.

The plan focuses on improving management and monitoring of the forest, restoring degraded areas, protecting biodiversity and strengthening the institutional capacity of agencies working across the three countries.

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