Darien Forest - Sustainable Development

The Darien Jungle in Eastern Panama is a UNESCO world heritage site. Though biologically diverse, the area is the poorest and least developed in Panama. The flora and fauna are under threat of extinction from slash and burn agricultural practices as well as increasing development. But now the government of Panama is placing a high priority on biodiversity conservation and human development. Local communities are being trained in new ways to farm the land. This growing environmental consciousness has led to a new interest in preserving the forest’s fragile ecosystem.