UK's Biodiverse Landscapes Fund Launches in Trifinio Region
The United Kingdom has initiated the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund activities in the Trifinio region, where Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador meet. British Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras, Nick Whittingham, visited local communities set to benefit from this project, marking a significant step towards enhancing biodiversity and community development in the area.
In Guatemala, Ambassador Whittingham inaugurated initiatives in Concepción Las Minas and San José La Arada, Chiquimula, aimed at strengthening community organization, enhancing value chains, and promoting restoration activities. These efforts include the management and prevention of forest fires, along with biological diversity monitoring, symbolized by the installation of the first camera trap.
The project seeks to support environmentally sensitive areas through sustainable management practices, creating sustainable development opportunities for communities while ensuring environmental protection. In Honduras, the Ambassador visited the Güisayote Reserve, delivering essential equipment for forest fire prevention and control, reflecting the Fund’s commitment to sustainable forest management.
This global initiative by the UK, investing up to US$19 million in six biodiversity hotspots, includes the Mayan Jungle, Trifinio, and Mosquitia in Mesoamerica. The efforts in Trifinio are carried out by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE).
Local authorities and community leaders expressed their gratitude for the UK's contribution, which is anticipated to have a significant positive impact on their communities. This initiative represents a collaborative effort to conserve biodiversity and enhance livelihoods in the Trifinio region, setting a precedent for sustainable development in biodiversity hotspots worldwide.