The biosphere reserve status was renewed for the island of Berlengas, off Peniche, and for Santana, in Madeira, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), it was announced this Friday.
According to a statement from the office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Action, the Program’s International Coordination Council ‘man and the biosphere‘ [MaB] UNESCO recently approved the periodic review reports of the two biosphere reserves, within the scope of the compliance with the requirements to maintain the international classification.
The two reserves were created in 2011 and integrated into the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, by decision of the International Coordinating Council of the MaB Program, which is why they were reevaluated after 10 years of existence, in accordance with the requirements of the Program. MaB.
The Periodic Review Report of each of the reserves includes information and assessment of the main activities and projects developed in the areas of conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity, socially and environmentally sustainable development and support for research, training, monitoring, education and communication.
Portugal has 12 territories that are UNESCO biosphere reservessix in the peninsula (Boquilobo, Gerês-Xurês, International Tagus, Meseta Ibérica, Castro Verde and Berlengas), four in the Azores archipelago (Corvo, Graciosa, Flores and Fajãs de São Jorge) and two in the Madeira archipelago ( Santana and Porto Santo).
Also according to a note from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, in the world network there are currently 738 Biosphere Reserves spread over 134 countries.
Source: Observadora
