Unesco, two more Italian sites become Biosphere Reserves
Environment — di Elisabetta Scuri
It is an important milestone for Italy, which can now boast 17 Biosphere Reserves recognised by Unesco. And which has no intention of stopping there.
Unesco, two more Italian sites become Biosphere Reserves
It is an important milestone for Italy, which can now boast 17 Biosphere Reserves recognised by Unesco. And which has no intention of stopping there.
Our country is home to a unique biodiversity and continues to offer us incredible discoveries: in July, for example, researchers found coral species at risk of extinction on the seabed of the Aeolian Islands. At the same time, the protection of our natural heritage is growing: Valle Camonica – Alto Sebino, in Lombardy, and Monte Peglia, in Umbria, have been declared Biosphere Reserves by the Man and the Biosphere (Mab) programme of Unesco. The extension of the Ticino, Val Grande Verbano reserve has also been recognised.
Read also: Two marine protected areas established in Sicily and Sardinia to safeguard biodiversity
What are Biosphere Reserves
The news came during the 30th session of the Mab International Co-ordinating Council, held in Palembang, Indonesia, from 23 to 28 July 2018. The programme's aim is to "promote, on a scientific basis, a balanced relationship between people and the environment through the protection of biodiversity and good practices in sustainable development". This means that resources within the reserves cannot be exploited indiscriminately, the effects of climate change are monitored so as to counter them quickly and as effectively as possible, while seeking to ensure the wellbeing of all species.
What are the new entries
It is therefore an important milestone for Italy, which can now boast 17 Biosphere Reserves, enriching the global network that comprises 671. Valle Camonica – Alto Sebino protects 45 Lombard municipalities over an area of more than 130,000 hectares: the landscapes are typically alpine, rich in lakes and streams, forests and glaciers such as that of the Adamello.
The Monte Peglia reserve – an inactive volcano – covers four towns in the province of Terni, in Umbria, and extends over more than 40,000 hectares. It is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, as well as numerous species of fungi.
Finally, Ticino, Val Grande Verbano, thanks to the expansion of the reserve, now covers 300,000 hectares of territory, including Lake Maggiore and Lake Varese, across 217 municipalities in Lombardy and Piedmont.
Monte Peglia (Umbria) e Valle Camonica (Lombardia) sono state designate riserve Unesco Uomo e Biosfera, fieri della nostra biodiversità, avanti così! #IoSonoAmbiente @UNESCO_MAB #BiosphereReserve
We must invest in our natural capital
"It is an important recognition for our country," declared the Minister for the Environment, Sergio Costa. "Protected areas represent the natural capital in which we must invest, both in social terms and in terms of research and, where possible, in economic terms linked to sustainability. Unesco recognition is a further guarantee for their conservation and enhancement."
Costa wished to recall that on 23 July the ministry had presented to the United Nations agency the green helmets project, a task force dedicated to environmental protection which in Italy — given the dissolution of the State Forestry Corps — would help to safeguard ten geoparks and five natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List: the Aeolian Islands, the Dolomites, Monte San Giorgio, Etna and the ancient beech forests. One need only hear these names to conjure up beautiful images, breathtaking landscapes, places still unspoilt that deserve to remain so for as long as possible.