Enhancing Surveillance and Protection of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
The natural environment contributes largely to Belize's economy and economic development,
with Tourism and Agriculture being the primary industries contributing to the nation?s GDP.
These industries are nature-based and present a unique opportunity for the preservation of the
natural environment, as well as degradation if not carefully managed. As a country, many plans,
strategies, and policies have been developed to either preserve or sustainably harvest the
natural resources. This has introduced the need for protected areas management in Belize.
The Belize National Protected Areas System Plan is the primary document guiding the
sustainable goals and use of protected areas in Belize. Although several strategies have been
identified, the key strategies that this project will contribute to is the increasing connectivity of
ecosystem nodes, and protection and preservation of biodiversity. These strategies then
contribute to the overall goal of increasing the management effectiveness of Protected Areas.
By contributing towards these strategies, the project aims to contribute directly to the GEF-SGP
Country Programme of improved management effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas and
enhanced stewardship between civil society organizations and the regulatory agencies.
The Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve (TMNR) was previously managed under the Belize
Audubon Society. However, their co-management of the protected area was relinquished. This
resulted in the area being considered a ?paper park? for some years. In 2016, the Belize Karst
Habitat Conservation (BKHC) sought co-management of the area, given the high level of illegal
activities being carried out in the reserve. As context, the TMNR is buffered by four (4)
communities: Teakettle, Barton Creek, Unitedville, and Ontario Village. Accessibility to the site is
easy, given the tourist attraction nearby - the ATM Cave. With no active management presence,
illegal logging has been observed and reported, there is threat of agricultural incursion near the
border, as well as looting, given the historic use of caves. These high cultural and biodiversity
threats to the area stand to degrade the potential positive use of the ecosystem which has the
potential for leisure, economic opportunity, as well as the priceless ecosystem contribution to all
Belizeans. In summary, this project seeks to monitor and protect the natural assets in an already
established protected area through active co-management.
with Tourism and Agriculture being the primary industries contributing to the nation?s GDP.
These industries are nature-based and present a unique opportunity for the preservation of the
natural environment, as well as degradation if not carefully managed. As a country, many plans,
strategies, and policies have been developed to either preserve or sustainably harvest the
natural resources. This has introduced the need for protected areas management in Belize.
The Belize National Protected Areas System Plan is the primary document guiding the
sustainable goals and use of protected areas in Belize. Although several strategies have been
identified, the key strategies that this project will contribute to is the increasing connectivity of
ecosystem nodes, and protection and preservation of biodiversity. These strategies then
contribute to the overall goal of increasing the management effectiveness of Protected Areas.
By contributing towards these strategies, the project aims to contribute directly to the GEF-SGP
Country Programme of improved management effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas and
enhanced stewardship between civil society organizations and the regulatory agencies.
The Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve (TMNR) was previously managed under the Belize
Audubon Society. However, their co-management of the protected area was relinquished. This
resulted in the area being considered a ?paper park? for some years. In 2016, the Belize Karst
Habitat Conservation (BKHC) sought co-management of the area, given the high level of illegal
activities being carried out in the reserve. As context, the TMNR is buffered by four (4)
communities: Teakettle, Barton Creek, Unitedville, and Ontario Village. Accessibility to the site is
easy, given the tourist attraction nearby - the ATM Cave. With no active management presence,
illegal logging has been observed and reported, there is threat of agricultural incursion near the
border, as well as looting, given the historic use of caves. These high cultural and biodiversity
threats to the area stand to degrade the potential positive use of the ecosystem which has the
potential for leisure, economic opportunity, as well as the priceless ecosystem contribution to all
Belizeans. In summary, this project seeks to monitor and protect the natural assets in an already
established protected area through active co-management.
Project Snapshot
Grantee:
Belize Karst Habitat Conservation
Country:
Belize
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
US$ 187,911.00
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 9,020.00
Project Number:
BZE/SGP/OP7/Y3/STAR/BD/2022/02
Status:
Currently under execution
Project Characteristics and Results
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
BKHC will open a file and log all project reports, proposals, and expenses related to the project in a central location. This is intended to track the progress of the project, as well as reporting requirements to the GEF-SGP. Secondly, BKHC has a desk responsible for communication, with the support of the Executive Director. Positive results of the project will be communicated via
social media platforms. Thirdly, given that BKHC is part of the APAMO membership and intends to network via its platform, any opportunity for dialogue, forums, or discussions will be used to communicate the positive impact of this investment, as well as communicating lessons learnt to GEF-SGP.
Gender Focus
Develop a Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Strategy - The Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Strategy will be a comprehensive document that will inform BKHC?s approach to the community?s resource needs,
garnering active support, supporting PA stewardship, and community driven activities for youth, women, and men.
Indicators
Biophysical
Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project
2428
Empowerment
Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project
1
Empowerment
Number and type of support linkages established with national government institutions
1
SGP Country office contact
Mr. Leonel Requena
Phone:
(501) 822-2462
Email:
Esther Calles
Email:
Address
2nd Floor, David L. McKoy Business Center, Bliss Parade, P.O. Box 53
Belmopan, Central America
Belmopan, Central America
Visit the Belize Country Page