The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park a World Heritage Site. The decision was announced on Friday (26) during 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 the state of Maranhão, was created over 40 years ago. It is the largest dune field in South America, covering 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 is a great achievement for the state.
“Undoubtedly, this recognition will strengthen tourism and the preservation of this natural gem of Maranhão. I thank the members of the Committee for their approval,” said Brandão.
Among the criteria met by the park to obtain the title are natural beauty, significant geological features, and habitats for biodiversity conservation, including endangered species. The application for the Lençóis Maranhenses was submitted in 2018.
Brazil already has seven sites declared Natural World 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 Central Amazon and the Pantanal; the Chapada dos Veadeiros and the Emas National Park in Goiás; as well as the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha and the Rocas Atoll. The title granted to the Lençóis Maranhenses Park is the eighth on the list.
Source: Agência Brasil