F.C.D. Concerns About the Impact of Upgrading Caracol Road

Infrastructure works continue along the Caracol Road from Georgeville through the Chiquibul Forest. While the works are still concentrated at this time in the Pine Ridge, F.C.D. Executive Director Rafael Manzanero worries that when completed, it will give access to not only those engaged in illegal activities in the Chiquibul, but human footprint in the Mountain Pine Ridge.

Rafael Manzanero

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, F.C.D.

“Once it is moving more further inside of course that will create more access.  In advance of time, we along with the forestry department have instituted a radio rangers also in the Baldy Beacon area, which is going to be one of those access that can lead people to reach to the eastern flank of the Chiquibul national park. So way in advance what we have started to do, and that basically have been over one year and a half of planning and coordination with the forest department to institute a human presence for patrols and surveillance up in that area because there will be more human activity, there will be more of the human footprint. And we already know that an increase of hunters and other visitations is already occurring along the Mountain Pine Ridge and so yes, it certainly will have an impact as it evolves even more further into the Chiquibul zone.”