Concrete Activities of Living Lakes Network Latin America & the Caribbean
The networking and capacity building activities will focus mainly on the following aspects:
- Legal framework for the protection of lakes and wetlands· Biodiversity (ecosystem, habitat, fauna, flora)· Agriculture and life stock farming
- Fisheries
- Sustainable tourism development
- Land use planning
- Environmental education
- Social participation in conservation, and
- Poverty alleviation through sustainable income generating activities.
Thus, training of at least 200 technicians, 150 educators, 250 political decision makers of local authorities and 2,000 local people in the above related issues is planned. Furthermore, the establishment of an internet platform, a website to allow participating NGOs to form on-line working groups; and the organization of a Central America workshop on “participation, conservation and poverty alleviation” are also planned.
Model projects
Bolivia
The Titicaca Lake is one of the most know wetlands in the world. Shared by two countries: Bolivia and Peru, this lake has different characteristics and levels of progress in relation with the management and conservation of biodiversity, culture and tourism services. This pilot initiative has the purpose to create a strategy for sustainable tourism in Titicaca Lake - Bolivia; the development of a tourism guide, and two sustainable tourism trails.
Colombia
The wetlands in the high plateau of Cundinamarca and Boyacá – including the Lake Fúquene and the associated wetlands of Cucunubá and Palacio - are an important centre of biological diversity and endemic species in the north andean part of South America. These wetlands which are a biogeographical complex of the region, are being highly altered by human activities.This pilot initiative has the objective to create an environmental interpretation program for the Lake Fúquene, which will include the prepartaion of material for environmental education and visitor management to support sustainable management of aquatic fauna in areas of high ecological value.
Mexico
The Lake Chapala is the biggest natural reservoir in Mexico, the second highest in America and the third biggest in Latin America. The Lake Chapala faces up environmental degradation problems and a big number of communities living around the lake have poverty problems.This pilot initiative will develop three training programmes in the following topics: (i) sustainable tourism development; (ii) use of renewable energies; and (iii) environmental education to sensitize local communities regarding the environmental values of Lake Chapala. Moreover, the organisation of the preparatory process for the installation of a sustainable development information and education centre is included.
Central America
Central America has one of the major biological diversities. A great number of its population are directly dependent from the use of the natural resources found in lakes and wetlands and live in natural protected areas. Due to its geographical, socio-economic, cultural and environmental characteristics; Central America is a region with high potential for the development of initiatives in social participation in the conservation of wetlands. This pilot initiative has the objective to create a regional program for social participation in the conservation of wetlands in Central America.
Dissemination and extension of the network
Relevant information regarding lake and wetland protection as well as the results of the model projects and reports of working groups can be found of the webpage “Living Lakes Network Latin America & the Caribbean” (www.globalnature.org/Network-Latin-America) within the general website www.globalnature.org. All partners involved will present the network and its objectives and activities in events on regional and national level. GNF will be responsible for the link between Living Lakes International and the Living Lakes Network Latin America & the Caribbean and disseminate information during the international Living Lakes Conferences and international events such as the World Water Forum, COPs of international Conventions (RAMSAR, Convention on Migratory Species, Convention on Biodiversity).