MENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

MENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE​

Menorca is a very unique island compared to others we can find in the Mediterranean. Its natural spaces have remained almost completely preserved despite the huge influx of tourism that more than 30 years ago became its main source of work and continues to increase from year to year.

How is it possible, then, that being tourism the main source of income, that the island has not been more exploited more, as it has happened with its sisters Mallorca and Ibiza? The reason is simple: Menorca was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993 and remained unchanged until 2019 when protected territories were expanded.

Why Menorca was declared a "Biosphere Reserve"?​

The name "Biosphere Reserve" was created to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the Biosphere. It was precisely because of the degree of compatibility between the development of economic activities, the consumption of resources and the conservation of the cultural and landscape heritage that Menorca complied with and continues to comply with these characteristics.

The island has an unsurpassed diversity of habitats in which live species of both exclusive fauna and flora; some of them even in danger of extinction.

The nucleus of the Biosphere Reserve is the S'Albufera d'Es Grau Natural Park, which has more than 5000 hectares and has humid areas and very diverse and highly protected species of flora and fauna.

It also has a wide marine protected area, the largest in the Mediterranean with its 514,485 hectares and currently accounts for 85% of the total Menorca Biosphere Reserve.

However, the declaration of the "Biosphere Reserve" does not only include natural and marine areas: all the municipalities of Menorca are also part of it. The well preserved villages, the ancient helmets of its main cities, Mahon and Ciutadella, and the outstanding prehistoric heritage, also helped Menorca to achieve such a goal.

Menorca has always been committed to preserving everything that makes it unique and special: an overwhelming landscape and a rich rural and traditional culture.​

The Consell Insular de Menorca takes very seriously its responsibility to maintain this precious denomination on the island and has developed different plans to protect nature and tradition so that it remains so. Some of them, for example, are:

• Pla Territorial Insular: The aim of the project is to promote the conservation of the traditional landscape and to avoid any activity that could degrade it.
• Research on the archaeological and natural heritage of the island
• Protection of natural ecosystems and indigenous fauna and flora.
• Protection of dune (beach) and marine ecosystems.

Menorquines and all the people who love Menorca, and like tourism, want to share the island  with others, but only with a responsible tourism and that helps us maintain and preserve the last paradise of the Mediterranean.​