|
EMPRESA NACIONAL PARA LA PROTECCIÓN DE LA FLORA Y LA FAUNA
|
Description. In Cuba, nature reserves, national parks and other areas protecting nature are the responsibility of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (CITMA) and the Ministerio de la Agricultura (MINAGRI). The Empresa Nacional para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna (ENPFF) is the body which manages those protected areas controlled by MINAGRI. ENPFF is currently responsible for 48 protected areas dispersed throughout Cuba and its territorial waters. The total area covered by these areas is approximately 868800 ha. They constitute a huge variety of ecosystems of the highest value in representing nature in Cuba, its unique character, its fragility, its state of conservation and biodiversity. The highest peaks of the eastern and western parts of the Cuban mainland, and of the Isla de la Juventud, and some of Cuba's finest coastal reefs, cays and islands are included within this system of reserves. Each protected area is assigned a level of management appropriate to its importance, local or national. Four are national parks, three are ecological reserves, five are reserves managed for plants, one is an area of outstanding landscape beauty, sixteen are wildlife reserves, one is an outstanding natural monument, and seventeen are protected areas for managed resources.
 |
|
The conservation work of ENPFF is realized through projects in its silvicultural, floristic and faunistic programmes together with its work in environmental education and management. These projects are certified by the national forest service. In 2002, for example, some 400 projects were in train, working to a budget of more than 15 million Cuban pesos. To achieve and control each project, ENPFF works in each area, supporting stations and field stations. ENPFF is particularly active in supporting populations of endangered animals and plants on its reserves.
Left. A nestbox to encourage endangered birds, at Alturas de Banao
Right. The monument to José Martí, Pico Turquino summit, just one of a number of historical monuments in the care of ENPFF
Below, left. A small nursery for endangered plants, in Parque Nacional Pico Turquino. Note the need for more robust signposting |
|
 |
 |
|
Above. Bright yellow and white fruitbodies of Ascopolyporus growing on grass stems, a remarkable fungus from the Parque Nacional Pico Turquino |
EMPFF produces the periodical magazine, Flora y Fauna, ISSN 1028-0863. Editorial Office: Calle 42, Esquina 7ima, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba (tel.: 203 1433; fax 537 204 9347. e-mail ffauna@ceniai.inf.cu).
The following is a list of some of the 48 areas managed by ENPFF:
For further information about ENPFF, contact Lic. J.-M. Rodríguez Vásquez.