FMB participated in the international congress of biosphere reserves

From October 30 to November 3, the II Congress of the network of committees, MAB focal points and Biosphere Reserves of Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal was held in Copán Ruinas, Honduras, within the Biosphere Reserve. Trifinio Transboundary Biosphere – Fraternity. During the event the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Network in 1997 was commemorated.

Our research and conservation manager Danilo Salas participated as moderator of the panel on the functioning of biosphere reserves in the communication axis. Every November 3, the International Day of Biosphere Reserves is celebrated as a wake-up call to the sustainable development approach to modern life and the prominent and exemplary role that the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) can play in this sense.

In Paraguay there are currently 3 sites designated as biosphere reserves: the Chaco Biosphere Reserve, the Itaipu Biosphere Reserve and the Mbaracayú Forest Biosphere Reserve. The latter has as its core area the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve, where we implement projects and programs that promote sustainable development together with the communities.

Mbaracayú Forest Biosphere Reserve

In Paraguay there are three Biosphere Reserves recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): the Mbaracayú Forest Biosphere Reserve, recognized in 2000; the Chaco Biosphere Reserve, recognized in 2005 and the Itaipu Biosphere Reserve, recognized in 2017.

Although the Biosphere Reserves are designated by the International Coordination Council of the MaB (Man and Biosphere), each Biosphere Reserve remains under the sovereign jurisdiction of the requesting State, and the laws that it promotes for its better management.

The Mbaracayú Forest Biosphere Reserve is located in the eastern region, in the Department of Canindeyú. It has a total area of ​​322.850 hectares, of which 64.406 hectares. correspond to its core area, represented by the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve, administered by the Moisés Bertoni Foundation.

The Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve area is the largest representative and functional continuous surface of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest in Paraguay, in addition to being the best managed protected area in the country. This reserve protects a representative sample of humid forests in the Paraná basin, and a small portion of the Cerrado, a wooded grassland ecosystem, both of great importance for the biodiversity they protect.

BACKGROUND

The responsibility of the Foundation for the management of the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve and the surrounding area of ​​influence was recognized by Law 112/91. A long and meritorious process began in 1997 when the Moisés Bertoni Foundation decided to nominate the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve and its area of ​​influence as a Biosphere Reserve.

After three years of studies, presentations, negotiations and evaluation visits, in November 2000 at its 16th Session, the International Council of the MAB Program, in recognition of the need to conserve its cultural and natural wealth, finally designated the Basin Alta del Río Jejuí (area of ​​322.850 hectares surrounding the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve) as the Mbaracayú Forest World Biosphere Reserve, the first in Paraguay.