B.N.N. Supports Belize Maya Forest Project

Osmany Salas

The Belize Network of N.G.O.s, led by Senator Osmany Salas, has come out in defense of the Belize Maya Forest Project which has been criticized by parliamentarians in the upper house.  B.N.N. stands behind its support for the initiative, touting it as, quote, yet another excellent example of the opportunities that we can capitalize on while using our natural resources wisely, safeguarding their long-term value to our water and food security, unquote.  Citing the impacts of climate change, the release from the network says that it will continue to advocate for economic development that is long-term and sustainable.  Earlier today, News Five spoke with Senator Salas.

Osmany Salas, N.G.O. Senator

“The Belize Network of N.G.O.s is fully supportive of the Belize Maya Forest initiative or project because of what it stands for.  It is, along with the Rio Bravo, a management area [and] it represents the last remaining stands of forest that we can talk about in that region.  An area that, prior to the lands being purchased by the Alliance of Conservation Organizations, was in imminent threat of being deforested.  It’s an area of tremendous importance.  If we only talk about it nationally, it really protects the headwaters of some of the important watersheds in northern Belize: Rio Bravo, parts of the Rio Hondo, parts of the New River, et cetera.  But it also links us to the larger Maya Forest Region in southern Mexico and eastern Guatemala.  So, put together, after the Amazon it is one if the most important forests in the hemisphere, so it is off tremendous importance.  Our concern is that with it being treated as a political football it could risk the initiative.  For that two hundred and thirty-six thousand acres to be secured, it really took a lot.”