Ecobreves – HONDURAS: New Forestry Map Announced

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TEGUCIGALPA, Jan 12 2009 (IPS) - In six months Honduras will have a new forestry map that will enable it to accurately identify its ecosystems, woodland coverage, and biodiversity, Agriculture and Cattle Minister Héctor Hernández said to Tierramérica. This new instrument — which will replace a map designed 13 years ago — is being prepared with the technical support of the University of Utah, the National School of Forestry Sciences, the Ministry’s Center for Geographic Information, and the recently-created Forest Conservation Institute, and will be used to detect the areas in greatest need of coastal and forest resource protection.

According to Hernández, the new map will chart the country’s current broadleaf and pine forests for management and conservation purposes, and will serve as a key input for the design and application of new forestry-related policies.