All this week we’ve been telling you about the situation in Jalacte
where a Guatemalan businessman has put up a storage container clearly inside
Belizean territory. That is a particularly brazen and offensive incursion because
it is in plain sight for all to see. But what about those that happen deep inside
the jungle? The Chiquibul Forest Reserve is an area that’s consistently
under pressure from those crossing the border illegally. There are over 50 Guatemalan
communities adjoining the forest reserve which also contains the Caracol Archaeological
Park. Encroachments are common and the Friends of Conservation and Development
based in San Jose Succotz co manages the national park. It’s got so many
hotspots and President Rafael Manzanero told us what the challenges and pressures
are like.
Rafael Manzanero, President FCD
“At this particular time of the year I must say that we do have a
lot of xateros in terms of xate extraction which has been all throughout the
year. In terms of the milpa incursions, it is still an ongoing issue, particularly
right now you know it being a couple of weeks of dry season, there have already
been burnings occurring along the borderline.”
Jules Vasquez,
Along the borderline, how far in Belize’s territory have those incursions extended?
Rafael Manzanero,
“In certain areas for example the Caracol Archaeological Reserve which
is right within the Chiquibul Forest, there would be incursions up to, I would
say probably 3 to 4 kilometers within our national territory.”
Jules Vasquez,
Why is it that we are unable to eject these people?
Rafael Manzanero,
“Well that’s really a good question. Certainly I believe a lot
of it is really because we do not really have any presence along that border.
In other words, people, even though they know it is already in Belize that they
are doing their activities, they would still take the opportunity of coming
in and that is what they do.”
Jules Vasquez,
How many acres would you say we have lost in that reserve or that have been
under production or are under production?
Rafael Manzanero,
“In the Chiquibul Forest or the Chiquibul National Park in this particular
case I would say and based on satellite imagery over a period of twenty years,
because this has been an evolving process, we have lost 7,000 acres of virgin
forest. In the Caracol area which is another protected area which is located
along the border line, there has been over 3,000 acres that have already been
lost. But primarily I would say probably about 12 communities are practically
involved in terms of extraction of products. As how you mentioned, yes, they
see a resource which over the years has been availed to them. It is important
to note they have become like much more aggressive because they no longer feel
at will that they can just come in and do whatsoever they want. I would say
now we need to do as a country is to be much more staunch and much more bold
in terms of the demonstrating that indeed this is our country and we are going
to protect it.”
As Manzanero alluded to the threat of danger is constantly present
and very real, so his park rangers have started getting their own training in
firearms use.