The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (photo) a World Heritage Site. The decision was announced this Friday (26) at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held until the end of the month in New Delhi, India. 
The park, located about 250 kilometers from São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, was created more than 40 years ago. It is the largest dune field in South America, with 155 thousand hectares.
In other words, it is larger than the city of São Paulo and is famous for the crystal clear lagoons that form between the white dunes during the rainy season. It is currently managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).
Conquest
The governor of Maranhão, Carlos Brandãocelebrated the news. On the social network X (former Twitter), Brandão said that UNESCO’s decision was a great achievement for the state.
“Without a doubt, this recognition will strengthen tourism and the preservation of this natural treasure of Maranhão. I thank the members of the Heritage Committee for their approval,” said Brandão.
Among the requirements met by the park to obtain the title are natural beauty, significant geological features and habitats for the conservation of biodiversity, including endangered species. The Lençóis Maranhenses candidacy dossier was submitted in 2018.
Brazil already has seven sites declared World Natural Heritage Sites: the Iguaçu National Park, in Foz do Iguaçu; the Atlantic Forest reserves, in São Paulo and Paraná; the Discovery Coast, in Bahia and Espírito Santo; the Protected Areas of the Central Amazon and the Pantanal; the Chapada dos Veadeiros and the Emas National Park, in Goiás; in addition to the Fernando de Noronha archipelago and the Rocas Atoll. The title granted to the Lençóis Maranhenses Park is the eighth on the list.
UNESCO
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay congratulated Brazil on the new status of the National Park, praising the country’s commitment to protecting its heritage.
“Thanks to this inscription, this impressive landscape of dunes and lagoons, shaped by exceptional climatic and geological conditions, will benefit from the highest level of international protection. This is the 24th Brazilian site to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. I would like to congratulate Brazil on its commitment to protecting its cultural and natural heritage.”
* Article updated at 11:50 am to include the statement by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
