FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Global
Heritage Fund and FARES are Establishing a Break-Through
525,820-acre Road-less Wilderness, Wildlife and Archaeological
Park - Mirador Basin National Monument, Guatemala
GHF Partners in Conservation Saving
the Cradle of Maya Civilization
Palo Alto April 30, 2003 - Mirador Basin National Monument (MBNM), in the heart
of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, is a break-through
economic and conservation model for large-scale permanent
nature and heritage protection. MBNM encompasses 2,156
square kilometers (525,820 acres) of pristine tropical
rainforest surrounding the oldest and largest Maya
pyramids, city and temple complexes in the Americas.
In an effort to permanently protect
this last major intact and road-less tropical eco-system
in Central America, Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and
FARES, the Foundation for Anthropological Research
and Environmental Studies, are funding and organizing
political support for establishing the Mirador Basin
National Monument in the northern Peten, Guatemala.
GHF and FARES have organized advocacy trips to Guatemala
and Washington D.C., gaining support of U.S. and Guatemalan
government agencies and regional banks, including
the US Department of the Interior, as well as major nature
conservation groups.
MBNM is modeled on the nearby successful
Tikal National Park, and will become the most important
archaeological site, tourist destination and engine
for economic development in Guatemala. In April 2002,
President Alfonso Portillo signed a Presidential Accord
(Acuerdo Gubernativo # 129-2002) giving Mirador Basin
formal designation as a Special Protected Area for
its rich archaeology and pristine biosphere.
Based on raising sufficient financial
and political support, pending Guatemala congressional
legislation will permanently establish Mirador Basin
as a 525,820 acre National Monument to create a world-class
natural wilderness, wildlife and archaeological park.
It is expected that UNESCO will subsequently define
Mirador Basin as a World Heritage area.
Global Heritage Fund’s goal is
to provide long-term sustainable economies for the
local ‘gateway’ communities based on the
rapidly growing cultural and eco-tourism in Guatemala.
Sustainable tourism has proven a potent force for
economic development by providing employment for guides,
wardens, park services, hotel and transportation providers,
research and conservation teams.
“The virgin rainforest and monumental
ancient Maya architecture of the Mirador Basin struck
GHF and our Advisory Board as a once in a lifetime
opportunity” said Jeff Morgan, Executive Director
of Global Heritage Fund. “GHF funding is focused
on expediting the creation of a permanently national
park and take advantage of the newly-established Special
Protected Area status signed in law by President Accord.
GHF’s focus is on high-priority monument conservation
within the Mirador Basin, master conservation planning,
as well as training a professional park service to
stem the looting, poaching and destruction of this
Cradle of Maya Civilization.”
The Mirador Basin Conservation Trust
is a U.S. financing institution established for management,
auditing and quality assessment for long-term conservation.
Thus far, GHF has provided over $150,000 in funding
for the conservation of La Florida and two major temples
at El Mirador, and is actively co-developing a Conservation
Infrastructure Plan in conjunction with FARES. Upon
completion, the Conservation Infrastructure Plan will
be a roadmap for future efforts by the local communities,
conservation groups, regional banks and the Guatemalan
government for long-term permanent protection. GHF
funding will provide expert training and support for
creation of a world-class Park Service including visitor
services, law enforcement, and park design and planning.
In 2002, GHF made significant progress
by supporting the development of conservation methods
for the unique Pre-Classic Maya sites, wilderness
design, park services and enforcement of looting and
nature. Conservation efforts so far have been focused
on La Florida in the El Mirador complex, the most
popular site within MBNM and its core structures.
Over the past two years GHF provided employment and
training for sixty (60) local Maya and Guatemalan
conservation workers, and three Guatemalan archaeologists.
“As Global Heritage Fund grows
over the coming years, it will become one of the most
important international conservancies for preservation
of the cultural heritage, the environment and bring
tremendous economic and training opportunities for
communities in developing countries”, said Dr.
Richard Hansen, Project Director MBNM. “GHF
is a unique concept in that it has tremendous potential
given the diminishing resources available. I have
no doubt that GHF will meet this initiative with great
success. GHF has the means through its rigorous project
selection process and thoughtful donors to provide
the world with a legacy for generations to come.”
GHF is committed to continue its support
for various projects throughout the Mirador Basin
over the next three years. The Conservation Infrastructure
Plan will guide funding for nature conservation including
research and biodiversity field surveys, assessments
and monitoring of forests, wildlife and natural communities
identification for Mirador Basin’s protected
areas and ecosystems. The plan also addresses issues
that need to be coordinated with locals regarding
reforestation, forest management and fire prevention.
About Global Heritage
Fund
The Global Heritage Fund's mission is to enable successful
long-term preservation of humankind's most important
archaeological sites and ancient townscapes, creating
new engines for economic growth in developing countries.
GHF works to develop comprehensive Master Conservation
Plans, provides early matching grants and training,
builds local institutions and promotes sustainable
tourism development to ensure permanent protection
for global cultural treasures. The Global Heritage
Fund is a registered non-profit conservancy based
in Palo Alto, California.
|