Park Amazonia, French Guiana

Park Amazonia in French Guiana: 3.3 million ha of proteced areas; a break through for protection of tropical forests.

On February 28, in the south of French Guiana the Parc Amazonien was established, that with an area of 3.3M ha is the largest protected area in the Guianas. This Parc borders in the south the network of protected areas in northern Brazil which among others includes the Tumucumaque Park and the Maicuri Reserve. The Brazilian and French network presents a proud 12M ha area, and with that is the largest protected tropical forest in the world.

The establishment of large protected areas connected through a network is of importance for the protection of rare habitat, the conservation of ecological processes, and the survival of species that require large spatial territory, such as the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyia)and the jaguar (Panthera onca).

A large part of the Park will be under strict protection, meaning that no economic activities, such as logging, may take place there. Large scale and uncontrolled logging add to the effects of climate change worldwide. With this step, WWF adheres to one of its goals to stop deforestation and degradation of the earth and to mitigate and eventually reserve the effects thereof.

In the Parc Amazonien traditional and tribal people live dispersed in the rich biodiversity. The management of the Park faces the challenge to bring a balance between the protection of a natural heritage recognized throughout the world on one hand, and the support for development respectful of the way of life of the local communities on the other.

"The creation of the Park Amazonia represents a strong commitment for the long term conservation of the forests of French Guiana. Nevertheless, in spite of active efforts, the situation in the field is still raising much concern”, emphasizes Laurent Kelle, head of the WWF Office in French Guyana. “It is only through a strong cooperation with Brazil and Suriname that we will be able to reduce the negative impacts of small- and medium scale goldmining, and in the long run optimise the management of this large network of protected areas".

"The example set by the French and Brazilian Governments, associated institutions, WWF-France and WWF-Brazil, with the creation of these large protected areas, offers new opportunities for the Government of Guyana to take steps toward the establishment of more protected areas in the southern parts of the country", says Dominiek Plouvier, the Regional Director of WWF Guianas.

"WWF Guianas will provide the support needed for the protection of the rich biodiversity of Guyana and the socio-economic development of the people living here".