SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE

One of humanity's greatest concerns today is its role in the ongoing and accelerated transformation of the planet. In response, UNESCO launched a global program in the 1970s aimed at preventing and mitigating ecosystem destruction. This initiative led to the establishment of ecological conservation areas known as biosphere reserves, to which many nations have committed. These reserves are founded on the principles of conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.

The term biosphere encompasses the habitat of all living organisms, whether they reside on land (lithosphere), in water (hydrosphere), or in the air (atmosphere). Among the various protected areas in Quintana Roo, Sian Ka'an stands out as the largest, covering 656,000 hectares. This vast reserve boasts diverse ecosystems, including tropical salt marshes, mangrove swamps, cenotes (natural wells), petenes (hardwood hammocks), and barrier reefs.

Sian Ka'an, meaning "where the sky is born" in the Yucatec Mayan language, was designated a biosphere reserve in 1986. Just one year later, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site, cementing its status as a global natural treasure.