The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park a World Heritage Site. The decision was announced on Friday (26) at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in New Delhi, India.
The park, located about 250 kilometers from São Luís, the capital of Maranhão state, was created more than 40 years ago. It is the largest dune field in South America, with 155 thousand hectares.
In other words, it is larger than the city of São Paulo and is famous for the crystal-clear lagoons that form between the white dunes during the rainy season. The park is currently managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).
The governor of Maranhão, Carlos Brandão, celebrated the news. On the social network X, Brandão said that UNESCO’s decision was a great achievement for the state.
“Without a doubt, this recognition will strengthen tourism and the preservation of this natural treasure of Maranhão. I thank the members of the Heritage Committee for their approval,” said Brandão.
Among the requirements met by the park to obtain the title are natural beauty, significant geological features and habitats for the conservation of biodiversity, including endangered species. The application for Lençóis Maranhenses was submitted in 2018.
Brazil already has seven sites declared World Natural Heritage Sites: the Iguaçu National Park, in Foz do Iguaçu; the Atlantic Forest reserves, in São Paulo and Paraná; the Discovery Coast, in Bahia and Espírito Santo; the Protected Areas of the Central Amazon and the Pantanal; the Chapada dos Veadeiros and the Emas National Park, in Goiás; in addition to the Fernando de Noronha archipelago and the Rocas Atoll. The title granted to the Lençóis Maranhenses Park is the eighth on the list.
Source: Agência Brasil