Martinique World Biosphere Reserve, a jewel of biodiversity.
Martinique World Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO in September 2021, mobilizes the territory in a process of sustainable development and preservation of its natural and cultural assets. This reserve, resulting from a local will, aims to strengthen the involvement of the population in the preservation and enhancement of its territory.
A Biosphere Reserve is a territory recognized by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program of UNESCO. It brings together territories committed to a sustainable development approach and to the preservation, enhancement and promotion of their natural and cultural assets and their know-how. Environmental education and scientific research also play an important role.
The objective of Biosphere Reserves is to provide local solutions to global problems and to contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They are vectors of links, both locally and internationally, thanks to the cooperation networks with which they are associated.démarche de développement soutenable et dans la préservation, la valorisation et la promotion de leurs atouts naturels, culturels et de leurs savoir-faire. L'éducation à l'environnement et la recherche scientifique y jouent également un rôle important.
The Man and Biosphere program
UNESCO's MAB program, created in 1971, is one of the organization's oldest and largest. It has made it possible to set up an international network of 727 Biosphere Reserves in 131 countries, a regional network of 15 Biosphere Reserves in 8 Caribbean countries, and a national network of 16 Biosphere Reserves in France, including 3 overseas. .
Martinique's application process was participatory, unifying and collective. Information and co-construction meetings mobilized 34 municipalities in Martinique, in the presence of mayors and elected municipal officials, from September 2018 to October 2019. In total 4,500 people took part throughout the territory. Martinique's candidacy won the congratulations of the UNESCO jury, formed by the International Committee of Biosphere Reserves. For more information, consult this page of Préfecture de Martinique website (in french):
Governance and Management Plan of the Biosphere Reserve
The governance of the Martinique World Biosphere Reserve is based on several bodies. The Management Committee, made up of representatives from various players in the territory, is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the management plan for the Reserve. It is chaired both by an institution designated by the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique and by the Martinique World Biosphere Reserve Association.
The Scientific Council, for its part, is responsible for issuing opinions on projects concerning the territory's urban communities. It relies on an already existing structure, the scientific council for environmental contracts, and contributes to territorial coherence.
The College of Protected Area Managers, bringing together representatives of the Regional Natural Park of Martinique, the Marine Natural Park of Martinique and Office National des Forêts, intervenes in all matters falling within the competence of its members and supports the Management Committee.
