English - Global Environment Facility

the International Park “La Amistad”, which alone has 84 species of mammals (of which 24
are protected by the Panamanian Wildlife Law and 2 are bi-national endemic species), 285
species of birds (29 bi-national endemic and 23 migratory), 32 species of amphibians (of
which 23 are endemic) and 25 species of reptiles (of which 9 are endemic). In the Coiba
National Marine Park, 224 species of vertebrates (of which 7 are amphibians) have been
recorded. The reptiles are represented by two species of crocodiles, six species of turtles (4
marine and 2 fresh water turtles), nine species of saurians and 15 species of snakes. Detailed
studies of birds revealed 147 species of which 121 are resident and 37 migratory. Also
present are 41 species of land mammals, 7 species of sea mammals and 814 species of
saltwater fish.
c. Demonstration of international best practices for the promotion, public use planning,
monitoring and evaluation of ecotourism resources and services that: (i) enhance the
economic value of, the biodiversity mentioned above; (ii) accrue local economic
development benefits; and, (iii) include benefits to indigenous communities (such as the
Ngöbe-Buglé, Naso y Bribri in La Amistad International Park). Innovative partnerships will
be created between international research institutions, local universities and public entities
such as ANAM and ATP to ensure that the results of scientific biodiversity research and
monitoring conducted in SINAP are fed back into the design of ecotourism and
environmental education services. The best practices for mainstreaming biodiversity
conservation in ecotourism services will be replicable throughout the SINAP and
internationally.
d. Ensuring that PAs which are part of wider binational or regional conservation initiatives (La
Amistad between Panama and Costa Rica, and Coiba island as part of the Eastern Pacific
Marine Biological Corridor) benefit from best practices in the field of ecotourism
management and monitoring and improved overall management.
B. DESCRIBE THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH NATIONAL AND/OR
REGIONAL PRIORITIES/PLANS
1. The proposed Project is officially included as one of the measures that will be implemented
during the current 5-year administration, as presented in the Government Strategic Plan 2010-
2014(pg. 125). The 5-year Plan consists of an Economic and Social Strategy, a Financial
Program and an Indicative Public Investment Plan. The Plan recognizes that the natural richness
of Panama is exceptional, that its ecosystems provide key environmental services for the Country
that provide unique opportunities for creating high economic revenue in key sectors of the
Panamanian economy, such as tourism. As such, the proposed Project contributes directly to
strengthening environmental management in Panama as called for in this Plan. For instance, the
proposed project will result in national reforms for the regulation and administration of
ecotourism services in PAs. The project will also lead to a formalization of the cooperation
between ANAM and the Tourism Authority (ATP) thereby contributing to mainstreaming
environmental management and biodiversity conservation in tourism planning, development and
monitoring.
2. ANAM has updated the National Environmental Strategy or ENA (Estrategia Nacional del
Ambiente) with the objective of providing both a short- and long-term vision for Sustainable
Development within the period of 2008-2012. The ENA, officially published under the title
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