The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has admitted 12 new sites from Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, and Zambia to the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, the global standard for recognising fairly governed and effectively managed sites. It also serves as a complementary indicator for Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In addition, two existing Green List sites in France and Mexico have had their status renewed. With these new additions, there are now 87 IUCN Green Listed sites across 18 countries.
IUCN / Switzerland
“As the IUCN Green List continues to grow with new listings and renewals across the globe, it plays an important role in facilitating implementation of the CBD Global Biodiversity Framework. The Green List Standard, developed collaboratively across the IUCN family and drawing on the expertise of the World Commission on Protected Areas, ensures that conservation actions are credible and verified. The Standard is a testament to IUCN’s commitment to promoting trustworthy and recognized conservation practices. The success of these sites not only highlights their positive impact on people and nature but also inspires other sites to strive towards similar objectives, significantly contributing to the 30×30 target for effective area-based conservation by 2030.” said Stewart Maginnis, IUCN Deputy Director General, Programme.
Traditional and sustainable fishing
In Brazil, the Soure Marine Extraction Area on Marajó Island, located at the mouth of the Amazon River, has been added to the Green List and is the country’s first. This area is home to fishers and extractive families, and promotes traditional and sustainable extraction methods. The island features some of tallest mangrove forests in the world, coastal sand dunes, and diverse wildlife, including the mangrove crab and manatees.
Further north in Colombia, three new sites have been recognised for their exemplary conservation practices. Los Katios Natural National Park, situated on the Central American Land Bridge, is a biodiversity hotspot with endemic species such as the cativo tree, 450 bird species, and tapirs. The Guanentá Alto Río Foncé Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in the East Andean Region boasts glacial vistas and species like the spectacled bear and the puma. Alto Fragua Indi Wasi Natural National Park, located on the southeastern slope of the Andes, features cloud forests and dense vegetation, home to jaguars and many other species.
Ecotourism destination near Lake Tanganyika
In Zambia, Nsumbu National Park (image on the top) is the country’s second site on the IUCN Green List. Lying on the southwest shore of Lake Tanganyika, with its diverse landscapes of cliffs, valleys, and lakeshores, it is a prime ecotourism destination known for its rich fauna on land and in water. In Nsama and Mpulungu districts of the Northern Province, this site has an area of about 2,020 km2, rich with diverse vegetation communities and a variety of fauna. The Park was gazetted under the Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 44 and declared a National Park on 25th February 1972 with the principal aim of protecting the wildlife resources in the area. Tondwa and Kaputa are the two existing Game Management Areas (GMAs) buffering the park. The park includes a protected marine area of 123 km2 in which a large array of significant aquatic biodiversity is present. The terrestrial protection includes a few introduced species, and the National Park is currently successfully rewilding after significant periods of poaching and wildlife decline.
In the Middle East, two sites in Saudi Arabia have been added to the Green List: Ibex Protected Area and King Salman Royal Nature Reserve (KSRNR). The Ibex Protected Area, in the south of Riyadh is home to wild Nubian ibex among other various desert mammals and the KSRNR is a desert home to over 300 species, and a rich cultural heritage, harbouring over 420 archaeological assets.
Reminiscent of Confucian scrolls
In China, four sites have been added to the Green List, highlighting their conservation commitment. Wuyishan National Park in Jiangxi province, with its fog-laden cliffs, reminiscent of Confucian scrolls, is a prime example of well-preserved subtropical forests. Shandong Kunyushan National Nature Reserve, significant to Taoist tradition, features the rugged landscape of Mount Kunyu with cherry, apple, and apricot trees. Nanshan National Park, one of China’s earliest national parks, is known for its wetlands, pastures, and diverse bird species, offering a retreat for city dwellers. Finally, the Guizhou Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve, with its unique metamorphic rock pillar and rare species like the Guizhou golden monkey and Chinese giant salamander, stands out for its ecological and cultural importance.
Oak and chestnut trees
In the Massif des Maures, the Maures Integral Biological Reserve is a newly added site to the Green List in France. The site features oak and chestnut trees, birds of prey, and unique reptiles, while the Regional Natural Park of the Northern Vosges, located on the French-German border, known for its remarkable natural and cultural heritage, saw its status renewed.
In Mexico, Biosphere Reserve Island San Pedro Mártir has also been re-listed. Nestled between Baja California and Sonora is a Biosphere Reserve with 292 species, 30 of which are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The island is rich in bird guano and serves as a passage for various bird species.
“Through the IUCN Green List, the custodians and managers of sites actively participate in the governance and management of sites. Green List status provides an independently assured benchmark of protected area quality, while identifying aspects needing investment and enhancement through capacity development. This benchmark offers crucial assurance to governments, donors, and communities that protected and conserved areas are delivering on their promises.” said IUCN Centre for Conservation Action Director, Trevor Sandwith.
With our partners – the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the French Development Agency (AFD), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, Esri, the world’s leading supplier of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software, and Huawei, a leading technology giant – we look forward to scaling up the IUCN Green List. This effort supports the implementation of Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 3, aiming to increase and recognise fair and effective conservation areas to advance the new GBF targets.
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