Unesco designates Belgium's first biosphere reserve
The Dutch-Belgian border park of Kempen-Broek has been declared one of 11 new biosphere reserves by Unesco, the UN organisation has announced. It is the first biosphere reserve in Belgium to be recognised by Unesco, and the second in the Netherlands. Unesco's biosphere network now includes 759 sites in 136 countries.
Kempen-Broek covers an area of 264 km² and is home to around 75,000 people. It stretches between Weert in the Netherlands and Maaseik in Belgium. In the past it was a marshland, but in the 19th century it was converted into agricultural land, although there are still swamps, ponds and peat forests. Further north, there are extensive heathlands and dunes.
Birds thrive in this varied landscape, says Unesco. The nature park is also one of the most important dragonfly habitats in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The other new biospheres are in Colombia, Mongolia, Italy and Spain. "These new designations come at a crucial time for humanity as we face a global biodiversity crisis and climate change," said Audrey Azoulay, director-general of Unesco.
#FlandersNewsService | © The Kempen-Broek park © PHOTO VILDAPHOTO
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