The British Ambassador to Guatemala, Nick Whittingham, visited
Peten on 8-10 March to check on progress of a UK funded project
to tackle illegal wildlife trade in the Guatemala-Mexico border.
A three-year project
(2020-2023) is addressing increased poaching of valuable
hardwood species and fauna, which is affecting Guatemala’s Maya
Biosphere Reserve (Peten), the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and
Balamku State Reserve in Mexico (Campeche).
Official reports show that it has been 22 months without the
presence of illegal loggers in the border area. Additionally, 11
people have been arrested linked to activities damaging the
environment in the area, and some goods used by traffickers were
seized.
The project is also helping more than 100 people to develop
sustainable livelihoods for communities in the Carmelita road. It
consists of entrepreneurships that foster the production of
chicken, beekeeping, ecologic restoration of landscapes and
sustainable exploitation of xate.
Ambassador Whittingham visited the San Miguel La Palotada
community, one of the focus areas where activities are carried
out with communities benefiting from economic alternative
projects for the population that is vulnerable and affected by
wildlife trafficking.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is implementing the project
in collaboration with Asociación Balam, ACOFOP, CECON/USAC, Foro
de Justicia Ambiental de Petén, FUNDAECO, CONAP and the Public
Prosecutor’s Office in Guatemala; and ProNatura Península
Yucatán, CONANP, and SEMABICC in Mexico.
The UK is committed to protecting endangered animals and plants
from poaching and illegal trade around the world. The Illegal
Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF) provides funding for
practical projects around the world that help eradicate illegal
wildlife trade and, in doing so, reduce poverty.
