So, that pristine forest reserve is being clear cut - but snuffing out those illegal activities is not that simple. For one, the area is very remote - it takes about 7 to 8 days to reach there - and you can only go by foot. One month ago Ya'axché's enforcement and compliance rangers participated in a 10- day enforcement operation led by the Belize Defense Force to the area. They found those extensive illegal activities - which is why Garcia says government and the security forces know about the problem but they have to act now to arrest it:
Christina Garcia, Executive Director, Ya'axche
"And the information here is not new to the ears of the government officials and there were concrete recommendations that were made in the past and for example the construction of other conservation posts in the area currently we only have the Machakilha conservation posts. So there are concrete recommendations that were made in the past regarding the Columbia River Forest Reserve, but it's just that those key decisions have not been made and now we're at the extent of, you know, basically showcasing these illegal activities happening because one of the reserves that we manage which is the Bladen Nature Reserve is right adjacent to the Columbia River Forest Reserve."
Jules Vasquez
"Would you say that it has worsened significantly over the past 15 months, 16 months?"
Christina Garcia, Executive Director, Ya'axche
"Certainly it has especially with the illegal logging and the widening of the road and the extension of the agricultural frontier with the farms."
And Garcia says they issued a press release with video footage today because of what happened on the Sarstoon over the weekend where Belizeans were driven back, while Guatemalans are posing into a Forest reserve:
Jules Vasquez
"Are you sending out, are you sending out the release now specifically time to coincide with this awareness of how the Guatemalans are rebuffing Belizeans from their own river?"
Christina Garcia, Executive Director, Ya'axche
"I think so. I think that it is adding to what has transpired in this Sarstoon over the years, especially what transpired this weekend."
"I think that the Belizean people have the right to know what is happening within our country, especially in these protected areas. Well, it's a direct attack on our sovereignty, Jules, and it is something that has escalated over time, and no concrete decisions have been made in regards to doing something about it."
"It is now at that national level where some sort of decision needs to be made as to how is it that we will tackle these illegal activities. And the reason why we now see it a lot in the Columbia River Forest Reserve is the absence of enforcement within the area."
"Like I mentioned, there is only one conservation post there, and it takes so long to get the enforcement team to that area. You have more accessibility from the Guatemalan communities into the area with that construction of the road, so they have easier access to the area than we have as Belizeans."
