The Trust has now written an open letter to the Minister of Natural Resources, Cordel Hyde, and the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, expressing their concern. The letter is affixed with over a dozen signatures of leading conservation leaders and park managers. They state that, quote, "These activities are causing significant environmental damage and are being carried out seemingly unimpeded by the relevant authorities, without public knowledge or consultation with key stakeholders and in general contravention to our National Protected Areas law or international agreements such as Escazu." End quote.

The letter also says that the issuance of permits for surveying and land clearing within the existing protected area is a violation of Belize's laws. As such, they've requested that the government immediately halt all clearing activities within the reserve, as well as halt and reverse any issuance of land and any permits for surveying or clearing. They also want a thorough and transparent investigation into the land issuance and illegal encroachments in the reserve and publicly disclose the findings. finally, they want the government to initiate an open dialogue with local communities and conservation organizations to develop an act plan to further protect the Manatee Forest Reserve.