News & Events
GHF in the News - 2008 News Archives
Rescuing Mayan Heritage in Central America: The New Conservation Model
November 2008
Translation
In Guatemala, a new conservation model has emerged, which allows the largest corporations operating in the country to contribute to the safeguarding of nation treasures. The Pacunam Foundation has been formed by a group of companies that includes Wal-Mart Central America, Telgua, Cementos Progreso, the Pantaleón Group, Citigroup, Cervercería Centroamericana (Central American Brewery), and Banco Industrial. Their first project is to finance the development of the Mirador Basin, one of the most ancient areas of Mayan civilization. Mirador contains over 200 archaeological sites, including at least ten that are even larger than Tikal, and the largest pyramid in the world (La Danta towers 236 feet tall). In partnership with the Global Heritage Fund, the Pacunam Foundation promises not only protect El Mirador’s cultural treasures, but also to preserve its biodiversity and bring tourism revenue into this impoverished region.
