Seven tropical community groups win UN Equator Prize

Seven tropical community groups won the 2004 United Nations Equator Prize today for extraordinary work conserving their biological wealth while reducing community poverty.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and each received a $30,000 cheque.

The winners were Proyecto Nasa from Colombia; Comunidad Indigena de Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro from Mexico; GREEN (Genetic Resource, Energy, Ecology and Nutrition) Foundation from India; Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board and Bunaken Concerned Citizen's Forum from Indonesia; Rufiji Environment Management Project from Tanzania; and Torra Conservancy from Namibia.

The Sociedade Civil Mamirauá from Brazil received a special prize for successfully reconciling conservation with earning livelihoods from the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of rich biodiversity.

A panel of eight distinguished international panelists chose the seven from 26 finalists, who were themselves selected from among 340 entrants.