Catalan Government intends for Montsant, Pyrenees and Empordà to become biosphere reserves

BarcelonaThe Catalan government feels that Catalonia is underrepresented in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves and that some Catalan regions have the potential to be granted this recognition. The award is tied to a model of governance that combines the preservation of the natural and cultural diversity with a sustainable economic development. In Spain there are 45 Biosphere Reserves, but only two of them are in Catalonia: the Parc Natural del Montseny (Montseny national park) and the Terres de l'Ebre (by the Ebre river). The latter was only awarded the distinction in May 2013. Even though the Ebre still has some way to go, the government believes that it is beneficial to promote new candidates to receive UNESCO's seal of approval, bearing in mind that this institution has picked the Catalan village of Castellet i la Gornal to set up its Centre for Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves. Candidatures will be put together with the cooperation of the selected territories.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment is leading the initiative and has already picked three areas that meet the requirements: Montsant-Priorat, the Pyrenees and Empordà. In the case of Monsant-Priorat, the plan is to put together a candidature that encompasses the --already protected-- national park of Serra del Montsant together with Priorat, with all its potential for enotourism. In the case of the Pyrenees, the idea is to group together the national park of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici and the surrounding municipalities. In this case, the permanent committee of the national park have already agreed to the plan and the project could be strengthened by the simultaneous recognition by UNESCO of the Romanesque heritage of the Vall de Boí as a World Heritage site. In the case of Empordà, whose candidature would include municipalities of both the northern and southern counties, the government thinks that it is the perfect example of coexistence between economic activity and the preservation of the local heritage. The project would include areas within the national park of Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, Montgrí, the Medes islands and Baix Ter.

Minister Josep Maria Pelegrí, who will be talking to local agents from September on, believes that all three areas could aim to be recognised within two years. In all three there is a mix of ingredients that makes them prime candidates, namely: significant nature and biodiversity values; research tied to the local environment; farming and agricultural activity; rural development; relevant cultural elements; gastronomy, restaurants and food heritage; locally sourced foods; and activities linked to sustainable tourism.

Governance model

An important part of the land in Catalonia (about 30 per cent) is listed as having some level of legal protection. "So far, though, this protection has always come from the top down, stemming from European, Spanish or Catalan legislation. However, becoming a Biosphere Reserve is a bottom-up process and it requires a full agreement with the local agents", said Antoni Trasobares, General Director of Environment and Biodiversity. "Being listed as a Biosphere Reserve is not a form of overprotection, but a governance model that fosters the area's socio-economic development while preserving its biodiversity. And it is a successful model", stated Minister Pelegrí. "Conservation and management go hand in hand", added Mr Trasobares.

UNESCO's recognition means new investments in the region, plus the local heritage receives international attention. The government has yet to announce whether putting together the candidatures will require public funding.

Montseny and Terres de l'Ebre, UNESCO-recognised areas

Biosphere Reserves are set up by each country and recognised by UNESCO through its MAB (Man and the Biosphere) programme. The recognition seeks to balance the preservation of the environment and a sustainable economic development. Once recognition is achieved, the reserves remain under national authority with UNESCO's support.

There are 621 Biosphere Reserves in 117 countries worldwide, including 12 transboundary reserves. Forty-five of them are in Spain. Since UNESCO set up its MAB programme in 1971, the concept of Biosphere Reserve has become a valid tool for scientists and the administration to generate knowledge linking the preservation of biodiversity and economic development.

There are two reserves in Catalonia: Montseny and Terres de l'Ebre. The former was recognised in 1980 and the latter in 2013. Just the previous year, the application was turned down because it included areas close to the Ascó nuclear power station. This reserve includes over 367,000 ha of the Ebre delta and the river's hydrographic basin.