Global General

Nicaraguan island listed in World Biosphere Reserves

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-23 13:30

MANAGUA - Nicaragua's Ometepe Island has been recently added to the list of UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, local media reported on Monday.

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The nomination was approved unanimously by the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program.

UNESCO representative to Nicaragua, Juan Bautista Arrien, said the main ecosystems and landscapes of the planet will be represented in this network for the conservation of biological diversity, scientific research, and the observance of sustainable development models.

Arrien said that being part of this World Network will facilitate the cooperation and exchanges at regional and international levels and it also strengthens Nicaragua's commitment to boosting the values of "love the mother Earth."

"As organized people, we are going to work to strengthen all the mechanisms to allow the defense and protection of natural resources," she added.

Ompetepe, composed of two volcanoes, covers an area of some 276 square km. The island has plenty of pre-Columbian archaeological ruins, petroglyphs, statues and ceramics that show the antiquity of human settlement on its soil.

The island will have access to funding and technical assistance from UNESCO after being included to its Biosphere Reserves.