Experts; pine beetle infestation unavoidable

Two international experts are currently in Belize to recommend ways of dealing with the first-ever outbreak of Southern Pine Bark Beetle infestation of the Mountain Pine Ridge. They are Dr. Robert A. Haack, research entomologist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and Claus Eckelman, Food and Agriculture Organisation forest officer for the Caribbean. Their visit follows that of Vincente Espinoza of the Honduran Forest Service, who visited Belize in early October and provided positive identification of the pest. Haack and Eckelman accompanied Oswaldo Sabido, chief forest officer to the affected area for first hand inspection of the situation. They met with Minister of Natural resources, Johnny Briceno to brief him on their assessment. Both experts acknowledged the situation is dire. However, they also said the matter must be put in perspective. According to them, the beetle infestation was entirely unavoidable. “Although what is happening in the Mountain Pine Ridge is a sad scenario, the bark beetle has actually always been there,” said Eckelman. “This is a pest prevalent throughout the region and this year a confluence of natural events presented the opportunity for catastrophe. There was literally nothing you could have done to prevent this. It would have taken resources you don’t have; resources such as aerial surveillance, satellite imaging and vast manpower, just to monitor the area. This species of bark beetle is common from Nicaragua to the Carolinas in the U.S.,” said Haack. “Aside from cutting wide fire passes and salvaging all affected trees, there isn’t much to be done. All affected trees should be salvaged so as to deny the pest launching pads to further attacks,” said Haack. Briceno has directed the Forest Department to allot as much resources as possible to speed up salvaging in collaboration with private timber companies operating in the area. “This infestation is a grave blow to one of our country’s premier tourist attractions and valuable timber resources,” said Briceno. “I’m satisfied that it is a natural disaster with no person or entity to blame. Faced with the stark assessment of experts in the field, we shall do whatever we can to salvage affected trees, institute fire prevention measures and quickly institute reforestation.”