Iratí is the second largest hayedo in Europe, with 537 km² of beech and bee. The forest located in the far northeast of Navarre has been declared a UNESCO Reserve for its "natural beauty and its ecological importance".

The presidents of the valleys of Salazar and Aezkoa have received official recognition from the Biosphere Reserve on the 12th day from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge and the Government of Navarra.

Cultural and conservation associations and women's groups have played a decisive role in Irati's candidacy process. The management plan of the Irati Biosphere Reserve is a witness to community-driven conservation efforts, as reported by UNESCO.

Salazar’s president, Karlos Bueno, explained that conservation work should serve to “boost life and work” in the valley. Through this recognition, the president hopes that an extensive territory of 2,435 inhabitants will reach a "level of economic and social development".

Eleven Reserves

On 5 July, the International Council for the Coordination of the Human and Biosphere Programme appointed Irati Ohiana Reservas. There are currently 55 Biosphere Reserves scattered throughout the peninsula and the islands of the Spanish State.

In addition to the jungle of Navarre, another 11 points from all over the world were declared at the meeting. Thus, in Colombia, Slovenia, the Philippines, Italy, Mongolia, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea and the Republic Dominicana.En, the World Biosphere Reserves Network has reached 759.