And McField is just one of many voices. Today the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations convened a mini press conference for us. Representatives from APAMO, the Belize Audubon Society, the Community Baboon Wildlife Sanctuary and the Belize Tourism Industry Association were present. They say that while the immediate concern is Bacalar Chico, it's bigger than that.
They refer to a list of 15 reserves that are being considered for partial de-reservation. The list, we are told comes out of the bowels of the ministry and while not official, it is believed to be prepared by those with knowledge of land deals that are being discussed. The Association of Protected Areas Management Organization, APAMO has seen that list and today told us they will take action to force government not to go through with any more de-reservations.
Edliberto Romero, Chairman - APAMO
"We are not only concerned about Bacalar Chico. Bacalar Chico is like the climax of everything. We are concerned about de-reservation in general and so we want a commitment from the PM and the Minister of Natural Resources that they will stop de-reservation unless they follow proper procedures.
What we know though is that there is a list of 15 protected areas that is being proposed to be de-reserved. We know there are some protected areas that have been de-reserved already and some that are in the process of being de-reserved. What we have been seeing over the last month is that de-reservation is going on and there's no proper process being followed.
We have seen the de-reservation going on. We know Mayflower National Park. We know Mango Creek Forest Reserve number one has been de-reserved. We know Machaxa Forest Reserve is being de-reserved as we speak and survey is being authorized in other protected areas. It is a major concern that we've been writing the Minister of Natural Resources asking to meet with him and his people to discuss issues affecting protected areas, especially de-reservation."
Jules Vasquez,
If you had to speculate as to what the reason might be for these proposed de-reservations of thousands of acres, what would motivate something like that from the conservation minds, what is the thinking?
Edliberto Romero,
"From the conservation mind we cannot find any reason for that. We cannot find, it's got to be government's reason. I don't know. The list we have mentions various beneficiaries like Luke Espat, like Kendal Mendez."
Jules Vasquez,
Do you think the government is following the money, so to speak?
Edliberto Romero,
"Well if they are selling for several millions, definitely its money that's happening."
Jules Vasquez,
What has the Belize Audubon Society done to show its opposition?
Ana Dominguez-Hoare, Exec. Dir. - Belize Audubon Society
"Well in the case of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, we have specifically spoken to the Forest Department because they are the ones that have jurisdiction
over the site. We have also spoken to the developer, in this case it has been Mr. Luke Espat who has wanted to get land in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. We have demonstrated the importance of those sites and therefore we are totally the de-reservation of any of any land within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary."
Community Baboon Sanctuary Representative
"We are concerned with the de-reservation of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary as well because its part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor and it plays an important role and so it will affect the livelihood of the people that benefit from the protection of the wildlife in that area."
Andrew Godoy, Exec. Director - BTIA
"We do not support, in fact we are appalled even that government would even consider the de-reservation of a national park. When you look at our visitors that come to Belize, a large part of the interest for visitors has to be both cultural and natural environment and we have a commitment not only to our local community, to Belizeans, but also our commitment to the international community in fact. Certainly we will be looked at as a joke out there and we know that many conservation NGOs and organizations are out there daily meeting with these international partners, trying to establish relationships and this is not looking good for us at the end of the day."
Community Baboon Sanctuary Representative
"It affects us because you never know when will be our turn. It could Bacalar Chico today and tomorrow it could be the Baboon Sanctuary, this kind of thing has to stop. If you look at this list, there's fifteen proposed de-reservation on there and tomorrow it could be another ten and you never know."
Edliberto Romero,
"APAMO is in the process of developing, preparing to get into action and we are planning to basically getting into action in November 6th which is next Tuesday to basically put forward our position that we are completely against de-reservation of Bacalar Chico, that we are totally against de-reservation of all protected areas, and we are calling on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Natural Resources to make a formal and written commitment that there will be no de-reservation of Bacalar Chico and that they will stop de-reservation of other protected areas and that they will activate the National Protected Areas Commission and that any de-reservation of any protected area should go through that commission and that there should be proper consultation."
And while APAMPO is bashing, the Ministry of Natural Resources went on its own offensive today. The Minister Florencio Marin signed a statutory instrument declaring the Pecarry Hills in the Belize District a 10,744 acre national park.
