We the Peoples
of the Sanctuaries of the Maya Bio-Region of the Maya Quetzal Grand Council
united under the divine auspices of Hunab-Ku, the Primordial Spirit: lxazalvoh, the First Mother, among the Maya of the Quiche region and other ethnic groups of these sacred Maya areas: and Mother Ixchel. the goddess of the moon, the seas and all waters, proclaim our solemn commitment to the custody of our Mother Earth. Inspired by the legacy of our ancestors and the natural wisdom that has been granted to us. we declare our sacred intention to foster a community that lives in harmony with Nature, sustained by the principles of peace, health and spiritual well-being.
Article I
Definition of a Bio-Region
The Maya Bioregion encompasses 324.000 square kilometers, extending across the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche. parts of Tabasco. Chiapas. the Republics of Guatemala and Belize. and areas of Honduras and El Salvador. This expanse. rich in biodiversity and biocultural heritage. represents the cradle of the Maya civilization, a civilization distinguished by its deep connection to both the cosmos and the natural world,
Article II
Main Objectives
We commit to protecting the vibrant life forms and natural elements provided to us by our Mother Earth. We aspire to restore our animal populations, their ecosystems, and biodiversity, We recognize their rights for their intrinsic value, recognizing the natural wildlife and ecosystems as an integral part of our ecological and spiritual kinship with Mother Earth.
Article III
Rules of Conduct
The rules of conduct within the Maya Bioregional Sanctuary will reflect our deep respect for the Universal Creator and the Mother Earth. These standards will meet or exceed global practices in the management of terrestrial and marine sanctuaries, ensuring that our actions contribute to the preservation, rescue, restoration and enrichment of Nature. We consider ourselves sacred beings because we are part of the entire web of life on the planet and in the cosmos.
Article IV
Governance
We call upon all communities in the Bioregion to apply this Proclamation in collaboration. commitment, respect and seriousness, ensuring a full and prosperous future for our peoples. sons and daughters. and for all future generations.
Article V
Paradigm Shift
We commit to be an example. by consistent conscience action to reduce the pollution of land, air and water by more than 70% that our own communities generate. We will take advantage of solar energy and implement self-sustaining and responsible energy sources with Mother Earth: to mitigate climate change, to harvest rainwater, and to adopt organic and ethical food production methods that revive and honor our ancestral practices. We are determined to improve the management of our lands and waters, prioritizing the habitats of our native fauna and flora.
Article VI
Declaration of Refuge for Wildlife and Marine Life
The waters and lands of the Maya Bioregional Sanctuary are hereby declared a refuge for the myriad species that inhabit them. including the jaguar. quetzal. tapir. spider monkey, white-lipped peccary. yuk deer, howler monkey, giant anteater, scarlet macaw, rainbow toucan, hawksbill turtle, whale shark, ceiba and sapote trees, among other revered species. ensuring their protection from the encroachments of modernity, species trafficking. and the dangers of environ-mental degradation.
Article VII
Prohibitions
From now on. within the boundaries of the Maya Bioregional Sanctuary. we strictly prohibit the privatization of water sources, the plundering and exploita-tion of our territories, the desecration of sacred sites, the use of genetically modified organisms, the application of harmful chemicals, and plastic pollution in our lands and waters. These actions are antithetical to our ancestral laws and the biocultural heritage of our Maya peoples.
Article VIII
The Coastal Road
We recognize the mangroves that have a surface area of more than one million hectares throughout the bioregion and that contribute to coastal protection, water filtration, and carbon capture. We also recognize the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, as an essential component of our ecological system. Stretching from Contoy Island to the Bay Islands in Honduras. this reef not only supports a vast array of marine life. but also acts as a natural protector of our coasts.This Proclamation affirms our duty to protect. restore, rescue, preserve and thrive in unity with our Mother Earth, recognizing her as a living entity and that we are part of her.
