Why should Cape Horn be a Biosphere Reserve?

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Just like Mt. Everest, the islands south of Tierra Del Fuego, including the Cape Horn islands, are one of the planet's biological and geographical landmarks. They are in large parts covered in unfragmented sub-Antarctic forest and are some of the few remaining areas in the world still to a large extent unimpacted by human settlement.

Designating the Cape Horn islands a Biosphere Reserve is a step which will demonstrate and reinforce the commitment made by the government (in the Strategy for the Development of the Magallanes Region 2001-2010) to promote sustainable development. It would allow, among other things:

• The promotion of a high class of ecotourism.
• The integrated planning of the area.
• The inclusion of scientific investigation into the management of natural resources.
• The implementation of measures for biological and cultural conservation.
• The safeguarding of traditional fishing.
• The inclusion of the community in the development of ecotourism.