National parks and biodiversity
The country safeguards about 22% of its territory in protected areas, where access is strictly regulated in order to preserve environments and species. Among the country's national parks, we can mention
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park: named after the famous scientist and explorer Alexander Humboldt (who stayed in Cuba) the park, located in the east of the island, is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site, especially for its important floristic diversity. Its forest is home to one third of endemic species.
Sierra Maestra National Park: it protects the eponymous mountain range, the highest massif of the country, and its forest ecosystems, very rich in biodiversity (birdlife).
Desembarco del Granma National Park: Unesco World Heritage Site, located in the southeast of the country, it protects remarkable coastal limestone cliffs. The terraces of Cabo Cruz constitute a natural and landscape heritage unique in the world.
Viñales National Park (Pinar del Río): classified as a Unesco heritage site, it protects a whole agricultural valley of the country and a remarkable geological heritage (caves, mogotes or limestone hills).
Guanahacabibes Peninsula National Park: located in the west of the island, the park protects the eponymous peninsula and its numerous archaeological sites.
Montemar National Park (Matanzas), former Ciénaga de Zapata Park: located in the Zapata peninsula, in the south-east of the country, and classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, it protects remarkable wetlands (vast marshes), and an important floristic diversity (more than 900 plant species and nearly 200 bird species)
Bariay National Monument Park: located in the Bariaye bay, it shelters the first site discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 (archaeological museum).
Caguanes National Park: located in Buenavista Bay, it protects the ecosystems of Cayos de Piedra (islands). It is home to mangroves, caves (Humboldt, Ramos, Los Chivos caves), archaeological sites and a great diversity of fauna (bats, snakes).
Nature Reserve of the Gardens of the Queen (Jardines della Reina): this protected area shelters mangroves and coral reefs of the archipelago of the Gardens of the Queen.
The development of organic agriculture
The preservation of biodiversity goes beyond these conservation measures. The agro-ecological practices that have been in place in the country for the past thirty years tend to maintain the dynamics of populations, including bees. In decline almost everywhere in the world, bees in Cuba are doing well, in connection with the absence of pesticides.
The United States embargo and the fall of the USSR in 1990 led to a rapid agricultural transition in Cuba, deprived of agricultural equipment and chemical inputs. This transition was based on the implementation of agro-ecological techniques (i.e. the valorization of ecological processes). This led to the development of a local agriculture, including gardens and urban areas, based on manual know-how and animal traction, which made it possible to feed humans while respecting the living world. In 2010, this agricultural transition was rewarded at the highest level by the award of the Goldman Environmental Prize to the Cuban agronomist Humberto Rios for his work on biodiversity and Cuban agriculture.Cuba and climate change
The territory of Cuba is particularly vulnerable to climate change. This is reflected in the greater frequency and intensity of extreme events, including 9 hurricanes of very high intensity in 20 years. The lack of water resources and situations of water stress could worsen. The rise in sea level brings with it the risk of coastal submersion, with the corollary of accelerated erosion, a potential disappearance of 6% of the island's surface area and a degradation of mangroves, these buffer wetlands, reservoirs of biodiversity, filters for water quality and space for coastal protection. Faced with this situation, the country has put in place a plan that includes actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Important measures include the development of agro-ecological agriculture, mentioned above, reforestation and actions in terms of water management (repair of leaky networks, improvement of supply and sanitation). The issue of energy remains a major concern. Cuba, which is highly dependent on fossil fuels (imported oil), is also planning actions in terms of energy efficiency in buildings and the transition to renewable energy. The rehabilitation of the electricity network is also part of the action program, as electricity transmission generates about 16% of line losses.
Travelling differently
It is possible to opt for a more sober and authentic trip, by favoring less impacting lifestyles, combining soft mobility, homestays and locavorism. We will also take care to use resources wisely and to avoid certain polluting products (sun creams with certain chemical filters for example) or waste generators, such as plastic bottles, or any single-use plastic. It is possible to travel by soft mobility in Cuba. There is a railroad network that serves all the provinces. Every year, cyclists travel around the island by bicycle. Cuba also offers many opportunities to stay with local people. Finally, you can enjoy organic and local food. The international slowfood movement is particularly present in Cuba. It aims at defending a "clean, fair and good" food, respectful of producers and of the living. It highlights local know-how and identifies approaches to agricultural biodiversity and gastronomic traditions, such as Macabi fish balls (slowfood.fr). Because every gesture counts in the face of the ecological emergency, we all have a role to play in our daily lives and in our travels.
