FOREST PROTECTION IN THE MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS APR 2009 - SEPT 2010 USAID-WCS GUATEMALA Introduction: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Wildlife Conservation Society joined forces over an 18-month period (2009-2010) to support forest protection activities in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) of northern Guatemala. As the largest protected area complex in Mesoamerica, the MBR has received significant USAID investment to strengthen the reserve’s capacity to contribute to the ecological stability of the tri-national Maya Forest (of Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala), and ensure it’s great potential to contribute to the sustainable economic growth of the Department of Petén, and Guatemala as whole. In 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2005, vast areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve burned due to improper attention to the use of fire as a tool for clearing agricultural lands. More recently, illegal colonization linked to organized gangs and the drug trade increased at an alarming rate, with the result being record amount of degradation across the MBR in 2008 and early 2009. Program Description: In response to growing threats, support from USAID allowed the Wildlife Conservation Society and national partners to develop an integrated forest protection program focused on the economically productive areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (see Map 1). Technical accompaniment and in kind material support was provided to Guatemala’s national park service (Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas – CONAP), and the Guatemalan fire prevention authority (Sistema de Prevencion y Control de Incendios Forestales- SIPECIF), as well as national and community based partners working to reduce threats in their respective areas. Collaboration from Lighthawk was also obtained to permit regular over flights of the MBR during the dry fire season when threats are most severe. Results over the 18-month program were exemplary. By the end of the 2010 dry season, CONAP technicians and local partners estimated that 109,000 hectares of the reserve were “recuperated”, an area nearly twice the size of the MBR’s most well known park: Tikal. All of the recuperated areas were found to be free of new deforestation, fire, and settlement during the 2010 dry season, whereas during 2009 all had been severely affected. The MBR Forest Protection Program helped demonstrate that targeted investments in the protection of the reserve are one key element in a sound, long term development strategy, providing tangible benefits that ensure the long term economic and ecological sustainability of the Hemisphere’s most spectacular landscapes Major Achievements: 1) The recuperation and maintenance of the former La Colorada community forest concession free of impacts, including human settlement and colonization, deforestation, fire, agriculture, and cattle ranching. This landmark achievement This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Wildlife Conservation Society and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. includes the peaceful resettlement of the illegal colonists that had entered into the area as part of the process of land speculation that was ongoing in the area. 2) The recuperation of 109,701 hectares in the eastern Maya Biosphere Reserve focal area (Note: Map 1). The recuperated areas were quantified in partnership with CONAP and CECON, consisting of 56,074 hectares in the “Shield” area of eastern Laguna del Tigre, 22,346 hectares in La Colorada, 4,161 hectares in the MUZ area of “El Molino”, 12.152 hectares in Cruce a la Colorada, and 1,048 hectares in the El Zotz Biotope. 3) The successful conclusion of the 2010 fire season with a significant reduction in hot points across the Maya Biosphere Reserve (Note: see Table 1 below). PETEN MAYA PROTECTED BIOSPHERE YEAR PETEN AREAS RESERVE 2001 676 345 263 2002 732 473 357 2003 10313 6895 5846 2004 1746 1081 891 2005 10736 7728 6059 2006 3000 1895 1447 2007 5343 3852 3083 2008 4148 3044 2537 2009 6403 4916 3955 2010* 3386 2511 2003 * Total hot points through May 19th 2010 4) Execution of 250 hours of over flights undertaken since the Forest Protection Program began in March 2009; 5) Installation and strategic support for a new Joint Operations Center (COC) in the site of the former village of La Colorada and its formal inauguration in the month of June, 2010; Strategic support for additional COC across the Maya Biosphere Reserve including La Corona, El Peru-Waka’, Manantial, El Tigre, Rio Azul, San Miguel, Achiotal, and Paxban. 6) Significant advances in the field consisting of: the cleaning/establishment of 51.4 km fire breaks and access routes during the 2010 fire season; and 115 regular field patrols executed throughout the project area. 7) Contined strengthening of CONAP & IDAEH activities in the Mirador sector of Mirador-Rio Azul National Park via “Plan Hormiga” led by Asociación Balam. This plan was successful in deterring illegal natural resource extraction and tomb looting in the Mirador area. It propelled increased collaboration between CONAP, IDAEH, and local villagers from Carmelita by financing a collaborative team of field This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Wildlife Conservation Society and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. monitors that patrolled the interior of the forest, mapping trails and ensuring physical presence in the interior of the park. 8) Provision of key equipment for fire prevention and control activities in the eastern Laguna del Tigre area, including the Multiple Use Zone Biological Corridor. 9) Forest fire prevention and control training workshops executed with CONAP technical staff, local NOG partners, and members of community-based control and vigilance committees. MAP 1: Area of influence of USAID/WCS Forest Protection Program MAP 2 This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Wildlife Conservation Society and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. .