SATIIM responds to Forestry Minister on co-management
Greg Ch’oc
Today Minister Lisel Alamilla also aimed some very pointed comments at SATIIM for its refusal to sign on to the co-management agreement handed down by government. While SATIIM has stated that it has very serious concerns with the contents of the new Cabinet approved co-management agreement, and especially with the clause allowing third parties within the national park, Minister Alamilla says the N.G.O. is really just playing games. News Five got comments from both Alamilla and SATIIM’s Executive Director Greg Ch’oc today.
Lisel Alamilla
“SATIIM has never come seriously forward to come and say that they are playing games. And just being dragging this along to say they are going to sign, they are going to sign. And I on believe that they have any intension of signing this..”
Greg Ch’oc, Executive Director, SATIIM
“I would like the minister to provide one evidence where SATIIM has not committed or provide mandate given of our co-management agree. We have gone above and beyond the co-management agreement and so we believe; to provide one evidence where SATIIM has not permit or provide a better date given under the co-management agreement. We have gone Above and we believe that in order to strengthen and beneficial to both parties. That is all that we are local kill.”
Lisel Alamilla
Lisel Alamilla
“Under my tenure, at no point did I ever indicate that my industry was there to a co-management that my ministry was interested into entering into a co-management agreement with SATIIM. If SATIIM was interested into opening at this point, they would only need to education that. In fact if SATIIM was interested in entering into a co-management agreement with SATIIM. Nothing is banning them from saying I want to sign on to this.”
Mike Rudon
“So even at this point where they have received that letter—I think it was July thirteenth saying that you guys need to move.
Lisel Alamilla
“Yeah, yes. They could still come back and say that they want to enter a co-management agreement with the government of Belize. The government of Belize doesn’t have the capacity to manage these protected areas and this government recognizes that and recognizes that the partnership with the NGSs is important for us to reactive our confirmation goals.”
SATIIM has already been given its walking papers by the Forestry Department, and according to Alamilla if they can’t come to terms her ministry will have to seek funding to maintain a presence within the park.
