SC-11/CONF.202/6.Corr. Paris, 6 June 2011 Original: English UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme Twenty-third session Radisson Blu Park Hotel & Conference Centre, Dresden Radebeul (Germany) 28 June – 1 July 2011 http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/man-and- biosphere-programme/about-mab/icc/icc/23rd-session-of-the-mab-council/ Item 8 of the Provisional Agenda: PROPOSALS FOR NEW BIOSPHERE RESERVES AND EXTENSIONS/ MODIFICATIONS TO BIOSPHERE RESERVES THAT ARE PART OF THE WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES (WNBR) 1. Proposals for new biosphere reserves and extensions to biosphere reserves that are already part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) were considered at the last meeting of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves (IACBR), which met at UNESCO Headquarters from 16 to 18 February 2011. 2. The Advisory Committee formulated their recommendations regarding specific sites following the recommendation categories as follows: 1) Nominations recommended for approval: the proposed site is recommended for approval as a biosphere reserve; no additional information is needed. 2) Nominations recommended for approval pending the submission of specific information: the proposed site is recommended for approval as a biosphere reserve subject to receiving the specific information as requested by the Advisory Committee. If the latter is received by the Secretariat by 31st May 2011, it will be considered by the next session of the MAB-ICC to be held from 28 June to 1 July 2011 and the Council may approve the inclusion of the site in the WNBR. 3) Nominations deferred: the proposed site is deferred as it does not meet the criteria for biosphere reserves as stipulated in the Statutory Framework for Biosphere Reserves and/or major clarifications with regard to the application of the Framework to the proposed area is requested by the Advisory Committee. The relevant National Authorities are therefore invited to revise the nomination and/or provide the requested clarifications for examination by the Advisory Committee at its next meeting. 3. The Bureau of the MAB-ICC will consider the attached recommendations of the IACBR as well as the additional information received by the Secretariat particularly with regard to nominations recommended for approval subject to receiving additional information and nominations recommended to be deferred. The Bureau will recommend for the consideration of the MAB-ICC final decisions on all sites included in this document. 4. The MAB-ICC is invited to decide on the new sites for inclusion in the WNBR and extensions of biosphere reserves already included in the WNBR that could be approved. …/… SC-11/CONF.202/6.Corr.- page 2 Recommendations of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves: Bras d’Or Lake, Canada The Advisory Committee welcomed this proposal located in Nova Scotia. The proposed biosphere reserve encompasses a salt-water estuary watershed “inland sea” with three passages to the Atlantic Ocean within an island of temperate forest. The proposed total area is 356 588 ha including the marine ecosystem. The Committee noted the high diversity of local communities including First Nations and that four languages were spoken in the area. It welcomed the high collaborative process with the First Nations, the provincial and federal government agencies, citizens and academics in the preparation of the nomination. This process led to the development of a comprehensive management plan for the lake. The stakeholders are working together under the “Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association”, which was created in 2005. Over 14 000 people are living in this area implementing several initiatives which are creating new jobs, encouraging business opportunities and demonstrating concrete solutions towards sustainable development. The Advisory Committee recommended that this proposal be approved. Corredor Biológico Nevados de Chillán-Laguna del Laja, Chile The Advisory Committee commended the Chilean authorities on the high quality of the proposal. It noted that the site is located in the north part of the Patagonia region within the Central Chilean zone which is one of the global biodiversity hotspots also characterized by high abundance of endemic species. The Committee welcomed the use of a biological corridor connecting the three core areas and recommended that this site be approved. Mao’er Mountain, China The Advisory Committee commended the Chinese authorities for the very well prepared nomination. It recognized the scenic beauty of the nature reserve with mountain peaks reaching over 2,000m a.s.l., the abundance of sub-tropical broad-leaved, coniferous and bamboo forests and the occurrence of two endemic and rare species (Hynobius Mao’er Mountainensis and Rana Mao’er Mountainensis). It also noted that the transition zone is inhabited by Han Chinese and various ethnic minorities (including Miao, Yao, Zhuang, Dong, Yi and Hui) displaying a rich cultural diversity in the area. The Committee further acknowledged that thanks to a GEF funded project, environmental protection and sustainable economic activities, including eco-tourism have been developed in the site. The Advisory Committee thus recommended that this site be approved. Songor, Ghana The Advisory Committee congratulated the authorities of Ghana on the well prepared nomination. It recognized the importance of the site in terms of sustainable wetland and integrated coastal management and sustainable development of local communities. It acknowledged with appreciation the existence of the multistakeholder management committee for the site including government and community representatives. The Committee noted the challenges rising from intense aquaculture and growing tourism particularly in the buffer and transition zones and encouraged the authorities to provide information on the planned initiatives to address these challenges. The Advisory Committee recommended this site to be approved as a biosphere reserve and looks forward to receiving the updated version of the management plan expanding the focus of the management issues beyond those of the Songor Ramsar site to the whole biosphere reserve area. SC-11/CONF.202/6.Corr.- page 3 Zŭvintas, Lithuania The Advisory Committee welcomed this first proposal from Lithuania, located in the Southern part of the Middle Lithuanian Lowlands. It represents approximately 59 000 ha and includes lakes, wetlands, mires, peatbogs, pine trees. This great variety of habitats and vegetation makes this location very rich in biodiversity. The Committee noted the mixture of large and small land owners in the area with a population of 11 000 people. The main human activities include agriculture, forestry and fishing with recent development of eco-farming and tourism. The Committee also noted that the biosphere reserve, when designated, would be inscribed in the national law as a specific category. The Advisory Committee recommended that the proposal be approved and that the authorities ensure further involvement of local stakeholders in the management of the area and provide further information on the management and monitoring of the quality of water. Berlengas Archipelago, Portugal The Advisory Committee welcomed the re-submission of the nomination document. The Committee noted that this proposal includes the Berlangas, a group of small islands and rocks, and the city of Peniche in the mainland. It also noted that the archipelago is regularly visited by tourists, fishermen and scientists leaving from Peniche to explore the unique geophysical and ecological settings. The Peniche´s stakeholders participate in the management of the proposed biosphere reserve for promoting the sustainable development and conservation of the islands. The Advisory Committee suggested that local communities should also be more involved in education and training activities and decision making process. This Committee encouraged establishing as soon as possible the definitive management plan to guarantee a sustainable eco-tourism and cooperation with other biosphere reserves with similar eco-tourism focus. The Advisory Committee recommended that this site be approved. St. Mary’s, Saint Kitts and Nevis The Advisory Committee commended the authorities of Saint Kitts and Nevis for the very well prepared nomination, the first in the country. It recognized the importance of the site in terms of biological diversity ranging from cloud forests to mangroves and coral reefs. It was also pleased to note the inclusion in the proposed biosphere reserve of the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park World Heritage site which is of particular historical, cultural and architectural significance. The Advisory Committee commended the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the nomination process and acknowledged the support provided by the Jamaican and St. Kitts & Nevis’s National Commissions for UNESCO. The Advisory Committee recommended that this site be approved and encouraged the relevant authorities to strengthen the ecosystem based approach and to address the issues related to prevention of erosion. Blekinge Archipelago, Sweden The Advisory Committee welcomed this proposal located in the southeast part of Sweden which comprises most of the coastal areas and archipelagos of Blekinge. The proposed area stretching over 200 000 ha comprises landscapes of South east of Sweden,