A major international company will soon start a large plywood
factory in the Toledo District of Belize, specifically in
the vicinity of the Columbia Forest Reserve.
This area if special. In all of Central America the only forest
of its ecotype, sub-tropical moist forest, exists here in substantial
acreage. Other forests in the region of similar ecological
make-up have been altered or degraded by various land-use
practices throughout the past 30 years...This forest ecotype
is considered a "relic" in Central America.
About 10% of Belize's population is Mayan (Mopan and Kekchi).
Approximately 58% of the nation's Mayan live in the Toledo
District. The Maya constitute over 70% of the rural Toledo
District population. The Mayans are on reserves; some own
individual parcels of land, but they are few.
The Toledo District is very isolated. There appears to be conflict
between the Toledo District and the government situated in
the northern part of the country (it takes an hour's plane
ride to get from Belize City-the north down to Punta Gorda-
the south). The government "seems" to be concerned about the
protection of the environment; the south views environmentalists
as cranks (the south meaning the power brokers). The Mayans
who live in about 30-40 villages appear not to have any representation
in the south. They live mostly in villlages which have no
electricity, some malnutrition among children, etc. My guess
is they don't know about the plywood company coming into the
area.
This is something for someone to investigate and pursue.
Suggestions?
Meantime.....send letters of concern (fax, the mail is unreliable)
to:
Dr. Victor Gonzalez
Ministry of Tourism and Environment
Fax No: (501) 8-22862