Deforestation crisis impacts Honduras forests and Río Plátano Biosphere

Satellite monitoring from Global Nature Watch reveals that Honduras has lost approximately 1.5 million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2025. The department of Olancho has experienced the highest loss in the country, with 500,000 hectares affected. Within Olancho, the municipalities of Catacamas and Dulce Nombre de Culmí account for the majority of this destruction, losing 210,000 and 99,000 hectares respectively. Data indicates that permanent agriculture is the primary driver of tree loss, surpassing forest fires.

Simultaneously, the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site in danger, is facing significant environmental threats. Approximately 1,768 hectares of the reserve's core zone have been impacted by illegal land occupation, unauthorized cattle ranching, and activities linked to organized crime. In response, UNESCO has scheduled an evaluation mission for late 2026 to assess the effectiveness of current conservation and management strategies implemented by the Honduran government.