Mirador, Guatemala

Cradle of Mayan Civilization


Summit at La Danta, El Mirador, Guatemala.

 

 

In 2009-2010, significant progress was made at Mirador, including:

Planning

  • 880,000-acre new national park established – the largest in Central America
  • The Archaeological Management Plan for the Mirador Natural and Cultural System in preparation
  • Mapping within the site of El Mirador and other sites in the basin continues, with important work done to identify the Sacalero Causeway joining the Cascabel Group to El Mirador itself

Conservation

  • Conservation efforts are aimed at stabilizing and preserving some of the most significant monuments within the archaeological site of El Mirador, with the complex of La Danta, the pyramid of El Tigre, and the building known as Structure 34 (“Jaguar Paw Temple”) receiving particular attention with oversight and guidance provided by leaders in the field of conservation science
  • Stabilization of the upper, primary structure on Danta pyramid has been completed and all scaffolding removed
  • Site conservation completed and El Mirador opened to the public in 2009

Community

  • The Carmelita Conservation Incentive Program is progressing, with program development in the gateway village of Carmelita underway and receiving support from PACUNAM, CONAP, ACOFOP and IDAEH
  • Visitor Center opened in Carmelita
  • Computer, literacy, English language and other training courses are being provided to both workers and local communities

Partnerships

  • The US Department of the Interior received an appropriation of approximately $1 million for conservation and other related projects in the Mirador Basin
  • $1.2 million in funding for tourism development and community infrastructure has been granted by the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FUNDESA)
  • Funding from GHF has totaled $6 million along with $3 million from the Guatemalan private sector (PACUNAM) and $4 million from the Guatemalan government and IDB for training and park infrastructure