The National System of Protected Natural Areas of Uruguay (, commonly abbreviated as SNAP) is an instrument of policy implementation and national environmental action plans for Uruguay.
Its creation was established by Law 17,234 of February 22, 2000, which was regulated by Executive Decree No. 52/005 of February 16, 2005. This law aims to "harmonize the criteria for planning and managing protected areas under certain categories, with a single regulation that sets the guidelines system" (Art. 1).
Categories
According to Law 17234, four categories of definition and management of the protected natural areas were established (Art.3ð):
- National park: areas where there are one or more ecosystems that are not significantly altered by human exploitation and occupation, plant and animal species; they are geomorphological sites and habitats that have special scientific, educational and recreational interest, or include natural landscapes which are considered of exceptional beauty.
- Natural monument: areas containing one or more specific natural elements of remarkable national importance, such as a geological formation, a unique natural site, species, habitats or plants that may be endangered. Areas where human intervention, if realized, is small in impact and is under strict control.
- Protected landscape
- Protection sites
List of protected areas in Uruguay
Uruguay has 22 protected areas, covering 3.68% of the country's land area.
National designations
National parks
Natural monuments
Protected landscapes
Protected areas of managed resources
Habitat/species management areas
International designations
References