Chiquibul National Park
The Chiquibul National Park (CNP) is part of a tri-national bioregion forming the largest remaining contiguous block of tropical forest north of the Amazon. The park is comprised of 264,003 acres, making it the largest protected area in Belize. It is an area of outstanding biological diversity that provides critical habitat for many endangered species. It also forms a key part of the internationally supported Mesoamerican Biological Corridor which aims to maintain global and regional environmental integrity and promote local socio-economic well-being.
The park includes the highest point in Belize located on the Main Divide of the Maya Mountain Massif, containing the longest and largest known network of caves in Central America – the Chiquibul Cave System. The Chiquibul National Park is delimited to the north by the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve; the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Bladen Nature Reserve to the east and south. Across the western border in Guatemala exists the Chiquibul/Montanas Mayas Biosphere Reserve. The CNP shares a 45 km border with Guatemala.
The CNP is administered by the Forest Department within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, under a co-management arrangement with Friends for Conservation and Development since November 2006. As a result of its tireless effort to reduce illegal incursions from Guatemalans, FCD was awarded the 2006-2007 Co-manager of the Year Award by the Forest Department.
Recently, relationships between both countries have been strained by increased incursions and illegal activity by Guatemalans within Belize's borders. In 2007 alone, over 1,000 acres of the Chiquibul National Park were illegally cleared for cultivation, had timber extracted, wildlife poached and uncontrolled cutting and export of the economically valuable palm and leaf [xate]. FCD's management efforts are concentrated to curb this situation with the aim of regaining the integrity of the Chiquibul National Park. A key component to this has been the development of a peace park initiative among Belizean and Guatemalan counterparts including CONAP. In August 2007 a bi-national work plan was signed among four institutions, thereby encouraging more pronounced bi-national efforts. (See Bi-national Work Plan)
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