MAB UNESCO

Euganean Hills Regional Park becomes a UNESCO biosphere reserve

During the 36th meeting of the UNESCO International Coordination Committee “MAB – Man and the Biosphere” (July 1-5, 2024 in Agadir, Morocco), the application of the 15 municipalities involved in the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills for recognition as MAB – Man and the Biosphere of the “Euganean Hills” Biosphere Reserve has been approved.

The application process to become a MAB has started in October 2021. The new Euganean Hills Biosphere Reserve is now the 20th in Italy and covers not only the area of the Regional Park, but also the entire area of all 15 municipalities involved; the area covered is thus practically twice as large as that of the Park.

The Veneto region now has 18 Unesco recognitions: 9 tangible cultural heritage sites (Venice, Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Dolomites, Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, pile dwellings, Venetian defensive structures), 5 intangible cultural heritage sites (glass bead art, Tocatì, yearly alpine cattle drive, dry stone walls, opera), 4 MAB reserves (Po Grande, Po Delta, Monte Grappa and now the Euganean Hills).

Biosphere reserves are areas that are recognized under the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB) programme according to international criteria. There are currently 748 biosphere reserves worldwide, comprising large-scale ecosystems of outstanding importance for the conservation of biodiversity. They are also unique places in the world where it is possible to ensure environmentally friendly development and a livable environment in a global context characterized by rapid urbanization processes and excessive energy consumption – factors that are considered to be triggers of climate change.