By Zoila Palma: During the 2025 Belize Tourism awards held over the weekend, the Elijio Panti National park in Cayo was honored for Site of the year.
“Protecting 13,000 acres of sacred forest in close relationship with the surrounding villages and in service to our country’s conservation mission is arduous work. Still, there is no better feeling of accomplishment and purpose than witnessing its recognition,” a statement said.
The Don Elijio Panti national park is named after renowned Maya healer Elijio Panti whose life’s work healed many in these very forests.
“Elijio Panti National Park is a living relative in our Maya kincentric worldview, reminding us that when we safeguard biodiversity today, we gift future generations healthy forests, flowing rivers, and a world still alive with wonder,” the statement added.
The Itzamna Society extended gratitude to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) for recognizing Elijio Panti National Park as Site of the Year.
“This recognition represents not only a protected area, but the living continuation of our Maya livelihoods and ways of knowing. Every day, we do our best with what we have to care for 13,000 acres of standing forest so it can continue to nourish our bodies, our spirits, and our culture,” Maria Garcia, Chairlady of Itzamna said.
The award is being dedicated to the “legacy of Don Elijio Panti, to our elders, our partners, and the young people who will one day inherit this responsibility.”
The post Elijio Panti National Park awarded BTB site of the year! appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: During the 2025 Belize Tourism awards held over the weekend, the Elijio Panti National park in Cayo was honored for Site of the year. “Protecting 13,000 acres of sacred forest in close relationship with the surrounding villages and in service to our country’s conservation mission is arduous work. Still, there is no better
The post Elijio Panti National Park awarded BTB site of the year! appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
