130 million barrels of oil - that's how much an international oil company called Taghmen Energy, estimates lies beneath the earth's surface in a 79,000 acre area of Southern Belize, called 'Block 19.' That information comes second hand from SATIIM, the Southern Temash Institute for Indigenous Management. SATIIM, which is an advocacy group for Mayan land rights has issued a statement rejecting Taghmen's government-approved plan to perform seismic surveys and commence oil exploration in block 19.
'Block 19' falls within the Sarstoon Temash National Park, a 41,000 acre wetland area and home to many endangered species and rare plants. Since late last year, SATIIM has sent letters to the Ministry of Matural Resources strongly objecting to the plan because of the fragile ecology of the area. A press statement from SATIIM says that seismic testing and oil drilling could have lasting negative effects on the national park.
The statement adds that legislation prohibits oil exploration in a national park. Government has not responded to SATIIM's written protests.
