| PANACAM - Cerro Azul Meambar National park |
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(Meambar Blue Mountain National Park)
Eco-tourism and the Participatory protection of Natural Resources
PAG continues to manage and develop the Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park (PANACAM), which was established in 1987 and given to PAG to manage since 1992, now almost 20 years! The park covers 312 square kilometers extending from 415 to 2,080 meters above sea level. The area is home to a great biodiversity of flora and fauna species due to its unique ranges of elevation.
PAG’s main development objective is to protect and manage the sustainable growth and protection of the park by implementing a management plan that includes the active participation of the municipalities and communities in the target region. The key to park protection is to instill a conservation mentality with the adjoining community populations, and empower them to be able to co-habitat socially and economically without destroying their natural resources as the park provides an enormous amount of pure water to over 70 communities.
PAG also runs the PANACAM Lodge which are cabin accommodations within the mountains designed to satisfy the thirst of nature lovers. With the natural environment of park, PANCAM Lodge is the perfect place to rest, be in close encounters with nature, observe exotic birds from your bedroom window, take a hike on some of the 12 kilometers of park trails and enjoy the majestic landscapes and waterfalls.
The income received from PANACAM Lodge activities cover the salaries of park guards, fire protection, reforestation and continuous repairs to park roads.
2010 - 2011 Achievements:
1.) A committee of teachers from schools in the northwest area of PANACAM has been formed in order to discuss getting environmental educational textbooks for students 1st through 9th grade.
2.) The initial preparations have been made to start vegetable gardens in the schools of the communities surrounding the park. An average of 10 schools will be implementing this project!
3.) 150 environmentally- friendly cooking stoves have been built reducing the consumption of fire wood in the surrounding communities by 48%.
4.) 87 local farmers have been trained in soil conservation resulting in the installation of 350 meters of barriers to prevent erosion.
5.) 15 community brigades have been organized and trained to hold community activities that support forest conservation resulting in a reduction of forest fires in comparison to previous years.
6.) 18 pastors of churches in surrounding communities have been trained in Integral Missions with a focus on the environment and food security.
7.) 2 churches within the area have been successful in maintaining the plantation of 10,000 pine trees by keeping the grounds clean to help prevent forest fires.
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In June of 2009 Proyecto Aldea Global was awarded the highest annual environmental award in Honduras. This award was achieved for excellence in protecting the natural resources in the Cerro Azul National Park.
En junio del 2009 Proyecto Aldea Global se hizo acreedor al primer lugar en categoría institucional, al Premio Nacional del Ambiente. Este premio fue conferido a PAG por la magnífica labor que realiza la organización en pro de la conservación de los recursos naturales del Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Meambar.
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