FCD holds Chiquibul Symposium Two

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The Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) held its Chiquibul Symposium II on Sunday, viewable on the web, television, and other media. It was a privilege to learn about the wonders on half a million hectares of protected areas and on the pivots needed to moving forward.
During the Symposium panelists interacted with members of the public to answer numerous questions. They also shed light on many of the current threats to the Chiquibul.
Dr. Elma Kay, a Belizean scientist and Director of the Sustainable Lands Program spoke about the value of the Chiquibul as the headwaters to the Macal River. Dr. Kay said that it was important to maintain the integrity of those headwaters as these also maintain unique biodiversity. However, the recent fires in the area can reduce the functionality of those headwaters.
Dr. Kay emphasized the need for a sustainable plan for the Chiquibul. According to her, the data shows that ‘more boots on the ground’ and more conservation posts in the area are showing “that it is working.”
Management will have to look at the human aspect across the Belize-Guatemala border as there are communities there that are very poor.
“Over the long term we have to reach across those communities to have more options of livelihood,” she said.
Then there is the gold panning in the Chiquibul headwaters. Dr. Kay says that in gold panning, toxic chemicals like mercury are involved, which then accumulate in fish.
Park ranger Derric Chan confirmed that the biggest threat to the Chiquibul is agricultural encroachment. Chan said that slash-and-burn denudes the land and creates opportunities for fires, the worst of which occurred last year.
Also speaking as a panelist was major Rogelio Pop, Operations Officer within the Belize Defence Force BDF. Pop assured that the BDF has been an integral part of patrolling the Belize-Guatemala border and documenting incursions. He said that the conservation posts have been of great use within the rugged terrain. Some 27 miles of the Chiquibul are shared with the Guatemala border.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister John Briceño said that the partnership with FCD was significant. He said the goal now is to set aside 36% of our land for the conservation of biodiversity. The Prime Minister estimates that 70% of visitors to Belize visit protected areas.
In his set of recommendations, Executive Director of FCD Rafael Manzanero set out a path to moving forward. Manzanero called on Government to classify the Western Maya Mountain Protected Areas as the Chiquibul Mountain Pine Ridge Landscape Conservation Trust. Manzanero also suggested the appointment of FCD as a co-managing entity of this said Landscape Conservation Trust. He also said that the continuous financial support from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust was also important.
To gather more information on FCD, visit their website at fcdbelize.org Members of the public were also encouraged to join FCD.