July 01, 2003
Destruction of Maya Biosphere

An update on the crisis in Guatemala. This story focuses on the Laguna del Tigre reserve, which I visited last year. It is one of the last refuges of the scarlet macaw.

Latinamerica Press: Mayan Biosphere under siege

From the report:
Carlos Albacete, director of the environmentalist non-governmental Tropico Verde, noted another observation: "Curiously, if you overlay satellite photos of the heat foci on the map of oil concessions, it turns out that there is a concentration of these red points over the [oil] leasing areas." If these protected lands were already destroyed by fire, oil explorers would have an easier time of it in an anticipated land-use struggle with the environmentalists.


I also received today a shorthand report from Roan McNab, who works in the region with Wildlife Conservation Society. He recently did a flyover with the American Ambassador, other officials, and press. He is quoted in this story from Reuters:

Reuters AlertNet - FEATURE-Rare macaws in peril as Guatemala jungle shrinks

When I saw him in April he was tired and depressed. This message shows him still tired but a bit more optimistic, at least about officials understanding the problems. His note can be found below.

...so fried I can't spell bizzzzy. Amb Hamilton just left, 2 day visit. Flew over MBR [Maya Biosphere Reserve] with emb staff, MCP [Marie-Claire Paiz, director of the Sierra Lacandon National Park] and I detailed the threats to the future of the greatest reserve in Meso region as the Cessna Caravan glided over the burned and unburned zones, Usu river, cenotes, LdT and Macaw habitat, Uaxactun, Tikal. Impact high. Gov of Peten on board, CONAP, Press, all heard MCP's concerns re represa [dam], the impt of the area, jag [jaguar] study, invasions, landing strips. Their own eyes saw. Later Amb made public recog of env leaders, thanked Peten conap for well done job, and lauded the impt of la lucha. Guided birds in Tikal in am, the man loves birds. Good Amb. I have hope for the future. Jag study starts next month with mapping of trails, [camera] trap sites...

RBM

Posted by Dave at July 01, 2003 03:21 PM