Add value to the primary cloud forest

Photo/©: Knut Eisermann.

The challenge of nature conservation in many world regions is to add a sustainable usable value to primary habitats. Some examples of this value are the use of medical herbs and other non-timber species, and the land use for science and sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism is a promising activity in Chelemhá, as the comments from our visitors document. The following features make Chelemhá attractive for tourism:

Scenic beauty with vantage points, which give way to a view over the Polochic river valley, a major geological fault, to the Sierra de las Minas mountain range.
Pristine high-altitude cloud forest.
Breathtaking flora and fauna with orchids, bromeliads, tree ferns and more than 160 bird species, including many endemics of the Central American highlands.
High density of Quetzals and Howler Monkeys, as species with popular appeal.
Witnessing of life, culture and traditions in a Maya Q’eqchi’ village.
Possibility to obtain first-hand information about development perspectives in the area.

Sustainable tourism was recognized as an important component in order to add a value to the natural resources. This value can be “harvested” by the local population without damaging the natural habitats. The main goal is to develop the sustainable conservation of Chelemhá. The Chelemhá tourism program is a joint venture between UPROBON, other conservationsist organizations, local small enterprises, and the local population, with a focus on the following main issues:

Management of the Chelemha Lodge and maintainment of forest trails.
Capacity building among the local people and providing jobs as:
Tourist guides.
Forest rangers.
Gardeners.
Cookers.
Room cleaner.
Craftsman.
Artisans.
Driver (for necessary transports)

Many examples world-wide show that tourism can endanger natural resources or even be responsible for the definite destruction of natural habitats. We develop our tourism program with the principle of sustainability and as conservation tool.

Following features characterize our program and follow the criteria of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Earth Council, as well as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP):

Admission of exclusively small groups in Chelemhá. The Chelemhá Lodge has a capacity for 8 persons.
Close involvement of the local population generates an economic income for them.
Development of consciousness for nature among the local people. The presence of foreign visitors shows them that the environment has a value well worth rotecting.
The income helps to fund conservation activities.
Fruit and vegetables are grown in an own garden, or bought from the local people in adjacent communities.
The lodge is mostly built out of natural materials.
Drinking water is provided by several springs in the cloud forest. Our program protects these springs and garantees the water supply to many communities.
Sewage treatment in a small local sewage plant.
In Chelemhá any locomotion is done walking.
We give our visitors essential guidelines in order to avoid disturbance of the cloud forest's flora and fauna.

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