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Costa Rica celebrates mountain cultures

28.03.2017

International Mountain Day 2016 was celebrated at national level in Costa Rica last December with a forum held at the Ministry of Environment and Energy in San José, Costa Rica. Representatives from several national institutions and organizations participated in the event, giving presentations on the 2016 theme, “Mountain Cultures: celebrating diversity and strengthening identity”. This gathering was organized by several Costa Rican Mountain Partnership members, including the National Meteorological Institute of Costa Rica (IMN), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Cordillera Volcánica Central (FUNDECOR), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in Costa Rica.

Executive Director of SINAC Mario Coto Hidalgo led the official opening ceremony, which was followed by Deputy Director of IMN Roberto Villalobos’ intervention on the "Vulnerability of mountain ecosystems to climate change”. He described the effects that climate change is having on mountain ecosystems, including their fauna, flora and soils as well as water and forest resources. After making a series of recommendations on how to "adapt to the inevitable", Hidalgo pointed out the urgent need to develop strategies for the protection and conservation of mountain ecosystems.

Speaking on behalf of the National Indigenous Bureau of Costa Rica, Magaly Lázaro gave a presentation on "Mountains: Ecosystems for the Good Lives of Indigenous Peoples". Lázaro highlighted that indigenous inhabitants represent 2.4 percent of the national population of Costa Rica. Referring to indigenous peoples’ worldview of the universe, nature and humanity, Lázaro explained how they view mountains as being alive, having a spirit and being able to perceive, feel and communicate.

Representing the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Alberto Salas then presented the "Map of Indigenous Peoples, Protected Areas and Natural Ecosystems in Central America". He pointed out that the remaining forested areas of Central America are located in areas of use and occupation by indigenous peoples and that 37 percent of protected areas in Central America are located within the areas of use and occupation by indigenous peoples.

Next, International Analog Forestry Network (IAFN) Secretariat Office Manager Isabel Macdonald discussed the activities of the IAFN. A final joint presentation by Hidalgo, Villalobos and FAO Costa Rica’s Mayra Villegas closed the event.

Sharing original songs about nature and the importance of mountains, a musical group of several SINAC officials then performed while refreshments of fruits and traditional Costa Rican foods were served. Craftswoman Maria Cecilia Montiel also set up a stand where she displayed her jewelry made from local seeds, tree bark and other natural elements.

See the International Mountain Day 2016 Flickr album

News by SINAC

Photo: SINAC/Sonia Lobo