Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

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**Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve**^a
**UNESCO World Heritage Site**

State Party	Honduras
Type	Natural
Criteria	vii, viii, ix, x
Identification	#196
Region^b	Latin America and the Caribbean
Inscription History
Formal Inscription:	1982 6th Session
In Danger	1996-
a Name as officially inscribed on the WH List b As classified officially by UNESCO

The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is located on the Río Plátano in the La Mosquitia region on the Caribbean coast of Honduras. It has been a World Heritage site and biosphere reserve since 1980. The reserve encompasses both mountainous and lowland tropical rainforest, full of diverse wildlife and plant life, in which at least 2000 indigenous people continue traditional ways of life.[1]

In 1996 the reserve received the World Heritage in Danger designation. Its environmental and cultural value is threatened by agriculture, colonization, and poor resource management. Timber is often illegally taken. There is also a plan for a hydroelectric plant.