The
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is geographically
isolated from the rest of Honduras in the region of La Mosquitia
with limited access by plane or boat (1 hour and 6 hours respectively
from La Ceiba, the major north coast city). The land within
the reserve has a long history of human occupation as demonstrated
by the 200 documented archeological sites distributed throughout
the three management zones. Approximately
20,000 people currently inhabit the cultural zone (84% Miskito,
5% Garifuna, 1% Pech & 10% Mestizo). The indigenous Miskito
and Pech Indians and Garifuna peoples face numerous threats
including the gradual loss of language, culture, lands, and
ecological knowledge from globalization and encroaching Mestizo
colonists. The small population of Pech represents the last
remnant of pureblooded Pech. They confront the imminent loss
of language and bloodlines as they intermarry and assimilate
into Miskito culture.
To learn more about the Río
Plátano Biosphere Reserve:
