| Eco-Lago to build environmental research station
A traditional canoe on Lake Yojoa The Foundation for the Ecological Preservation and Sustainable Development of Lake Yojoa and its basin, commonly known as Eco-Lago, is planning to develop a Tropical Eco Center for the Study of the Environment and Biodiversity. In July 1996, the organization received a donation of 20 manzanas (about 14 hectares) located on a pine-covered hill overlooking the lake, where the center will be created. An additional 100 manzanas (70 hectares) will be added to create a wildlife refuge, which can also be used for field research. The facility will serve mainly as a research center on ecological/environmental matters of interest for the protection and conservation of the ecosystems of the lake and its basin. It will also be used for training in environmental education and development, sustainable agriculture and ecotourism at a national level. There will be particular emphasis on organic farming and the use of agricultural land to improve biodiversity, especially of birds, on local farms. Eco-Lago was founded in 1991 to establish harmony between agricultural production and ecological conservation around the lake. It is also trying to create ecological awareness among the population living in the area. Eco-Lago has become well known among the Honduran population because of its yearly 'adopt a tree' campaign. For a small sum (Lps. 15) anyone can sponsor (buy) a tree which is then planted near the lake as part of the basin's reforestation. To date, 20,000 trees have been planted. Unknown to much of the public are the many actions undertaken in other areas by the Foundation, which also tries to improve the management of the Cerro Azul Meámbar and Santa Bárbara national parks and to control the contamination of the lake. Other activities include management of the lake's fishery resources and the improvement of tourism and ecotourism. To obtain greater cooperation from the communities around the lake, the Foundation has carried out a survey among residents to identify the problems, whose results were analyzed with community leaders. As one of the problems identified by the lake communities was the difficulty of obtaining financing by people who wanted to develop their own projects, the foundation also developed a community bank project to offer accessible financing to small entrepreneurs. Eco-Lago has an extensive action plan for the next four years. For more information, call Fundación Eco-Lago at 37-5028 or 38-2507 or fax 37-0822. |
