Minister of Sustainable Development Goes on Aerial Tour of Chiquibul Forest

Orlando Habet

As you heard, the three ministers accompanied the F.C.D. on the aerial tour of the Chiquibul Forest.  Orlando Habet, the Minister for Sustainable Development, which includes forestry and environment, was on the trip and spoke with the media about his observations and some preliminary actions to be taken.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“We can see that the work that F.C.D. has been doing has now paid off and we see it continues to pay off in their being able to co-manage these vast landscape for the government of Belize, for the people of Belize. A lot of the deforested areas where some of the incursions have occurred are now growing back into natural forests where you can see the color where young trees are coming up. We were able to visit the conservation posts that are there, almost close to the borders. We also have been told by F.C.D. that the risks that that were there before really no longer exist.  I believe we are in a good position. We are talking to F.C.D. because there are certain areas where we think another co-management agreement can be formed between F.C.D. and maybe other N.G.O.s and the government of Belize now to manage the larger landscape instead of only the Chiquibul.”

Minister of National Defence and Border Security Florencio Marin declined comment to the press.