Last night we told you about the open letter from the Maya Forest Corridor Coalition and their partners that was sent to the Minister of Natural Resources, Cordel Hyde, and the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet.
15 conservation leaders signed expressing their concerns regarding deforestation activities due to illegal encroachments and the issuance of lands within the Manatee Forest Reserve. Today our reporter spoke with Dr. Elma Kay of Belize Network for NGO's and Janelle Channona, Senator for NGO's about why the letter was sent.
Dr. Elma Kay- Chairperson for Belize Network for NGO's
"And the reason for sending that letter is because we actually have come up on evidence that has been publicly disclosed or shared on Facebook and analysis that came out showing the deforestation that is happening in the Manatee Forest Reserve. A forest reserve is a category of protected area and by our national protected areas legislation, land shouldn't be issued there nor should there be any clearing that is happening. So clearly there is something happening in this reserve."
"Like I said, we are aware that there has been some land issuance now we don't know who issued those, those lands. It could have been a previous administration, it could have been this admin, this government administration at a different time, how the land was issued. We don't have all those details, but we do know that there are titles granted within this protected area and so what we are saying is, this is very detrimental to all the work that we have actually been doing with those very same ministries and the government of Belize to protect the Maya forest corridor, because in fact, the corridor and Manatee Forest Reserve are one large like pathway if you want to call it that connects Belize's two largest forest blocks. And so there is no point in saving a portion if another portion is getting destroyed, because we're still losing the connectivity and so I think all we are asking for is to understand what is happening and what the government is intending to do about it or will do about it."
Janelle Chanona- Senator for NGO
"I salute the groups that signed the letter. There are others so there might be an addendum sheet added to the signature page. But certainly I think that is the fundamental question - and it's cross not just from this perspective but across that - who is actually making these decisions? Who is actually in charge? Who is managing? because if we are saying on one hand that we committed to biological corridors, we are committed to protected areas, we are committed to the integrity knowing the goods and services that those areas are protecting, how is it that those people are coming out of left field saying but I have a title and I am doing this and this isn't a land grab this is that. Really the fundamental issue I believe from where I'm sitting in terms of making sure we know who is making these decisions? Why are these decisions being made?How come the decision isn't shared, in terms of an informed decision making consultancy process? because at the end of the day these should not be questions we are asking after the fact."
