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Report: GOB Preparing to Sell Bacalar Chico Reserve


Following up on the disclosure made last night by the Opposition Leader of a proposed mega land deal for Northern Ambergris Caye, credible reports to 7NEWS tonight say that they are in fact two deals for a combined ten thousand acres on Northern Ambergris.

The first is for what's known as the Beltraide Land - 8,000 acres on Northern Ambergris that government has been trying to sell or trade for years. CEO in the Ministry of Natural Resources Allan Usher confirms that a proposal to purchase and develop this area went to Cabinet yesterday.

And while that will likely generate its own controversy, the second deal is sure to raise quite an alarm. Senior sources tell 7NEWS that the government has accepted US$1 million as partial payment for 3,000 acres - also on Northern Ambergris Caye. But this is outside of the Beltraide land and involves, we are told, quite a significant part of the Bacalar Chico Reserve. That would have to be de-reserved for the Korean developer but to show his interest he has reportedly paid one million up front, even before the land is de-reserved.

CEO Usher would only say that he has heard of the transaction but said he could not confirm the details.

Deputy Prime Minister Confirms Sale of Bacalar Chico Reserve
posted (October 25, 2007)


Government has taken the decision to sell 2,700 acres of the Bacalar Chico Marine and Wildlife Reserve. In fact, our sources say government has already accepted a down payment of a million dollars from a South Korean developer.

But for most of us, the name Bacalar Chico doesn't really conjure anything, it seems almost abstract. But Bacalar Chico but it is more than just a reserve, it is a world heritage site as part of the Belize Barrier Reef System. But when you're following the money, it seems everything goes on the block, and just so for the 2,700 acres, which is a little less than 20% of the reserve's 14,800 acres.

To get an idea of what Bacalar Chico is about, 7NEWS teamed up with the San Pedro Sun and the Green Reef Conservation NGO to visit the area this afternoon. It sits at the northern tip of Ambergris Caye, and is only accessible by sea. We were lucky to meet the Deputy Prime Minister in the area who confirmed that yes it is for sale. The San Pedro Sun's Kainie Manuel asked him why.

Kainie Manuel, San Pedro Sun
"Were you aware that there was an alleged sale of part of Bacalar Chico?"

Hon. Vildo Marin, Deputy Prime Minister
"I know that it is a Cabinet decision, yes."

Kainie Manuel,
"Can you tell whether it is a decision that has been made or is it still being decided on?"

Hon. Vildo Marin,
"Well it's a Cabinet decision to sell, I think it is 2,700 acres, to de-reserve yes."

Kainie Manuel,
"Government has had a conservation. Is government moving away from that ethic?"

Hon. Vildo Marin,
"I wouldn't say so because I think that the Belize government has a very good record in terms of protecting certain areas."

Kainie Manuel,
"Bacalar Chico is a reserve, its gorgeous, its grand. Have you been there?"

Hon. Vildo Marin,
"Yes."

Kainie Manuel,
"So you know what we are set to lose if it is sold. What steps have been taken to de-reserve it? Has that started already?"

Hon. Vildo Marin,
"I don't believe so because it just passed the Cabinet this week."

Kainie Manuel,
"Has government received money as it is alleged?"

Hon. Vildo Marin,
"I really wouldn't know that. You would have to ask somebody from the Ministry of Finance about that."

Kainie Manuel,
"There are many areas in San Pedro that can developed. Why go to the length of de-reserving something? Is this just following the money?"

Hon. Vildo Marin,
"I wouldn't say so. I wouldn't say so. Not at all."

Kainie Manuel,
"With 2,700 acres possibly at the brink of getting lost, how would that affect Bacalar?"

Nito Paz,
"Well it would affect the wildlife. As you know there is a huge variety of birds on an intact ecosystem. We also have the endangered jaguars living within the Balacar Chico National Park and as you know jaguars need a lot of area to survive so by cutting big chunks of the national park you also will affect the national habitat of those animals to survive."

Kainie Manuel,
"De-reserving this area, did they make any sort of consultation with Green Reef or with the directors and staff here at Bacalar Chico?"

Nito Paz,
"Not with Green Reef, this is the firs time we've heard about the de-reserving of the national park."

We'll have more on this story and more about the wonders of Bacalar Chico in tomorrow night's newscast.

Find this article at: http://www.7newsbelize.com/archive/10250711.html

There is a petition against this sale going around in town.

It can be found at Seaduced, Ambergris Jade, Travel and Tour, and Area Rep. Manuel Heredia's office.

It basically states that Voters and Concerned Citizens strongly disagree with the plan to sell acreage in the reserve. Please find it and sign it. You can also get copies to bring to others to sign and then bring the full page of signatures back to the above places.

There is a box next to each name that should ONLY be checked if you are a voter. If you choose to get signatures, make sure that only voters check that box.

I will definately sign this petition next time I'm in town. (Maybe someone can bring one to BC's tomorrow?)

Next thing you know they'll be turning the temples at Lamanai into hotel rooms!

downloadable petition forms are now online as well:
http://seaducedbybelize.com/community.html

For those of you who are not in Belize I have started a post on my blog and will be collecting names from that and making a list of out of country supporters.

Be sure that only voters check the voter box. It is important that we keep our credibility. JZB, you can pick up a petition at Seaduced or Ambergris Jade on your way to BCs. That would be great. They are in both spanish and english so take one on each. Returned the signed ones to the same place. Also make sure the all signers understand they can only sign 1 petition. Double names make us look bad. Other people are picking up petitions to have them signed by the group they hang out with. Get all petitions back quickly as they will be used in the next phase of planning. Thanks

http://www.mbrs.org.bz/english/news.htm

MBRS Supports construction of Nature Trail in Bacalar Chico

The Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park (BCMRNP), located in the northern half of Ambergris Caye, is a unique geographic formation, as is evidenced by its reefs, fossil remains and the combination of marine and terrestrial species which inhabit it, many of which are of great ecological and economic value. It comprises the most northern part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site, and is one of the priority protected areas of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Project. Bacalar Chico's Canal de la Boca, built by the Mayas, forms the border between Belize and Mexico.

Bacalar Chico boasts a surface area of 11,487 hectares (marine and terrestrial) and is administered by the Fisheries Department and the Forest Department of Belize. Its staff includes a Manager, a Marine Biologist and Park Rangers. The MBRS Project has provided for the strengthening of the BCMRNP with the construction of a Multiple Use Center as well as supplying equipment including boats, marine motors, furniture and computers. It has also supported staff exchanges and delivered training courses and training manuals.

The MBRS Project is now supporting the construction of a nature trail, that will allow local residents as well as tourists to appreciate the natural beauty and riches of this important area which is a home for internationally recognized (IUCN, CITES) endangered species, such as the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), the jaguar or American tiger (Panthera onca), the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), among others. At the same time, along with the Multiple Use Center, the trail is an important means of generating income for the area.

The trail is approximately 16 kilometers long and has a series of palapas at strategic points to allow visitors to rest or spend the night. The financial support provided by the MBRS Project complements initiatives by the Belize Fisheries Department, the local NGO Green Reef, and the British organization Trekforce Expeditions, who contributed by clearing the trail and constructing the palapas.

The MBRS Project is committed to continuing support for infrastructure which enables environmental education, ecologically sustainable tourism and income generation for protected areas, for the benefit of the people of Belize and the international community.


links:

//www.ambergriscaye.com/greenreef/
(most links broken)


http://www.coastalzonebelize.org/maps/map_coastalreserves.gif

http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/reef.htm

http://www.wri.org/biodiv/project_description2.cfm?pid=212

http://www.icran.org/icranmar/mar_home.html

http://coralreefalliance.org/

http://www.mbrs.org.bz/

http://www.nature.org/

http://www.coastalzonebelize.org/

MAKE SURE TO SCROLL sideways on this document to read the notes and other right hand columns

aaaaarrgh!!!! AAAAARRGH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!Gimme a big stick and a whip, dammit!!!!

I don't get truly pissed about much, but this list is unbelievable. Corruption I expect. Complete devestation for individual (whoever is the current boss) gain is intolerable.

Do whatever you can to right these wrongs.