Policy presented for protected areas

This morning local environmentalists, government representatives and members of Belize’s tourism industry gathered in the old capital for the official presentation of the National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan. The document was initially launched in April 2004 and since then a task force has worked to achieve consensus on how to balance economic development and sustainable natural resource management. With Belmopan’s stamp of approval handed down earlier this month, organisers say they will now move into the first stages of implementation. According to executive director of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, Valdemar Andrade, the country has ninety-four official marine and terrestrial protected zones, but currently, those sites are being supervised by a whopping one hundred and fifteen management teams. Andrade maintains the success of the new policy will be dependent on everyone being on the same page when it comes to the proper administration of the country’s natural resources.

Valdemar Andrade, Executive Dir., PACT
?We have many management units that constitute one eco-system, and if we don?t consolidate them into one, we run the risk of basically repeating and replicating processes and projects that we shouldn?t.?

?I think protected areas are one of the best solutions to some economic issues that we have in terms of the communities. It?s an opportunity to bolster the tourism industry, the forestry industry, the agriculture industry, the aquaculture industry, even water services, and able to create job opportunities for community members. So basically we have taken that into consideration. One of the key things though that we need to do and we have rolled into implementation stage is a total economic valuation of the protected areas to see exactly what is the economic value of the protected areas themselves.?

Johnny Briceño, Minister of Natural Resources
?In short, this plan is focussed on making the protected areas network, simpler, stronger, comprehensive, and financially sustainable. The policy is the key statement on the role and management of protected areas. We need to ensure that all important sites are included under one coherent framework and that meets all obligations under the various international agreements.?

?We are setting the stage for the sustainable development of our country?s natural resources. We are also ensuring the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of the natural resources. This will be our legacy.?

According to officials, it will take an estimated six years to implement the main strategic actions of the National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan. We also understand that it will take some five million dollars to finance the initiative… monies which will be sought from various international organisations. One of the main features of the policy is a comprehensive management plan for the Maya Mountains and Barrier Reef. Belize’s national policy will be presented to regional partners at a conference in March.