Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Joining Forces to Save the Zambuco Lagoon

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Dec 26 2011 (IPS) - Idyllic Zambuco Lagoon in the northern Honduran community of Esparta is being restored through a joint wetlands conservation project involving the government, civil society and local residents. The lagoon was declared a protected area in 2010, leading to a community effort to save its mangrove forests, home to a wealth of endangered animal and plant species, conservationist Rafael Sambulá of the Honduran Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment told Tierramérica.

Species like the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and the jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), a type of stork, inhabit this wetland area threatened by the expansion of cattle ranching, urbanization and industrial oil palm plantations.

The conservation efforts involve the participation of local communities and the non-governmental Organization for Community Ethnic Development.