3 months ago, 7News told you about the Spanish investor Green Tropics, which ran afoul of Belizean environmental laws when they dug a massive canal through the Belize Central Corridor, which is home of a wildlife sanctuary that houses Belizean jaguars and other big cats.
Well, the company's project - in which they want to invest 90 million US dollars in Belize to build a sugar plantation, sugar mill and processing facility - has been shelved until further notice from the Forestry Ministry and the Department of Environment.
It's a long red light for a company which proceeded in haste to dig the canal in order to institute the first phase of their project.
Today, we caught up with Forestry and Environmental Minister Lisel Alamilla at another even where we asked her about the status of that project.
Daniel Ortiz
"We at Channel 7 have been reliably informed that the investor, Green Tropics, has decided to pull out its investment in Belize. Can you confirm or deny for us, Ma'am?"
Hon. Lisel Alamilla - Minister of Forestry
"I have no knowledge that they have decided to pull out. In fact, I met with their consultant who is going to re-work their EIA, and as far as I am concerned, once that EIA is has been re-submitted, we will go through the process of reviewing it. But no, that's not the truth."
Daniel Ortiz
"The project has been sidelined so-to-speak because their zeal in trying to get it implemented, and they ran afoul of certain environmental laws. Can you tell us what is the update on that investigation and what is the outcome, if there is any at this point?"
Hon. Lisel Alamilla
"Well, we did fine them for breaking the Environmental Protection Act. We charged them the maximum that can be charged under that act, which was $100,000, and that has already been paid by Green Tropics."
Daniel Ortiz
"I know they also were open to the suggestion that they would have to pay for the repair of the corridor that they destroyed. Has that been done?"
Hon. Lisel Alamilla
"No, that hasn't been done, and that's something that - depending on what they come back on with their EIA, we are leaving that open because we're giving them a chance to improve on their EIA, and to see what they come back with."
According to Minister Alamilla, the environmental impact assessment must be submitted, and the authorities need to be satisfied that there will be minimal, negative environmental effects before the green light is given to Green Tropics to continue the project.
Those in the department of Environment say one hundred thousand dollars is the largest environmental fine ever assessed on a single entity.
Later on in the news, we'll have more form Alamilla as she tells us about the launching of a series of environmental books which may help Green Tropics Limited and other investors to obey Belizean environmental laws.
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