While there is a lumber shortage, there has also been a decrease in illegal logging in the protected area near the Rio Grande River. This is because of the constant patrols by TIDE rangers in that area. But what those patrols have also unearthed is that there is plenty of pollution near the river. This pollution is caused by people who camp in that area, and also by farmers who use dangerous chemicals that eventually run off into the river.
In this video from TIDE, we can follow one ranger on one of his patrols as he addresses the frequent problems they encounter.
Mario Xi, TIDE Ranger
"We are here on this patrol today. We came by to find this active camping site. Seems that it was used tonight or early this morning and we didn't found anybody, but I believe probably they heard us coming. So if we do find these people responsible for these actions we either take them in or summons them. We ask the public that we be careful with what we do as it affects our environment. Apart from just camping we also see pollution left behind as in solid waste and different things that we are sure of that will definitely get into the water if not taken care of. We have plastic cans that are left behind. We are not suggesting that camping continues to happen, but what we are saying is that please don't left any solid waste behind because it affects our environment and leaving from here going down the river its ends up in the sea and whereby we also have other species getting affected when it comes to manatees and different kind of wildlife."
"While coming from this patrol about 200 feet from this farm is I got to smell the chemicals that has been used, so a little ahead we found the site where the chemicals were. We saw the bottles and then we took pictures of the area and of the chemicals and then the owner of this farm who was using the chemicals approached us, he is one of the farmers that do farming along the Rio Grande River. Yes, he do know about the usage of these chemicals and he also has a permit or license to buy these chemicals that he uses for his farm."
According to Xi, a part of their patrols includes talking to people residing alongside the river and educating them on the work that TIDE does. He said they are usually willing to work with the rangers for the benefit of the environment.
