Ecobreves – HONDURAS: An Indigenous Future in Eco-Tourism

By - - and IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Aug 18 2007 (IPS) - Five communities in the Honduran jungle region of Mosquitia over the past four years have development micro-projects for ecological conservation that have drawn tourists but also generated jobs. That was how Hugo Galeano, of the United Nations Small Donor Program in Honduras described the effort to Tierramérica.

The eco-tourism project seeks to promote and preserve the natural beauty of the Río Plátano biosphere, declared a natural Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

In addition to tours of the areas that make up the biosphere, the local residents show visitors how their work conserves the flora and fauna. Members of the Miskito, Garífuna and Tawahka communities are participating in the effort.