Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve History, Travel Information, Facts And More
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve
Rate Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve as World Heritage Site here
PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve
COUNTRY
Honduras
ADDRESS
Honduras
RIO PLATANO BIOSPHERE RESERVE PICTURE
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About Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is a protected area located in Honduras. It comes under the Mosquitia region and is home to various endangered species. The area covering the site is approximately 5250 kilometers square, most of which runs along the Rio Platano. It includes both mountainous and lowland tropical rainforests. The park was established in 1982 and became World Heritage Site at the same time. It was included in the list of World Heritage Site in Danger in the year 1996.
Some Lesser Known Facts About Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve
- In addition to being a wildlife reserve it is also an archaeological reserve. It has over 200 various archaeological sites like ruined settlements, stones, and rock carvings. It includes the place where Christopher Columbus put his initial step in mainland America in his fourth voyage in 1502.
- It is a home not only for animals but also for over two thousand indigenous people belonging to cultural groups like Pech, Iadino, Miskito, and Pech.
- It is sad to say that a wide range of illegal activities is taking place including clearing of land for grazing cattle, illegal fishing and hunting, and even drug smuggling at the Rio Platano in a survey conducted by UNESCO. Due to which the site was again put on the list of endangered sites.
- Over two thousand species of vascular plants are found in the forest. More than 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 126 species of reptiles and amphibians are found here which includes king vulture, great curassow, scarlet macaw, mantled howler, kinkajou, spider monkey among others. The endangered species alike jaguar, margay, giant anteater, Caribbean West Indian manatee also lives here.
- The reserve allows eco-tourism which helps to generate awareness of the biological value and also income to fund the conservation projects of the reserve. The tourist can also go on rafting trips. About 10 to 12 trips are organized in a day.
- Due to poverty and the number of hurricanes in the area, a large number of refugees invade the reserve from time to time. Due to the increase in population and irrigation activities, the reserve is facing problems in the conservation of the site. The traditional farming practices are destroying the wildlife but despite best efforts, they invade from the south of the reserve and are creating difficulties in conservation projects.
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