The Steadfast Tourism and Conservation Association - known as STACA - in Southern Belize says it has been forced to go public due to unregulated logging activity in protected area. They logging concessionaires in the upper mountain catchment areas of the Manatee Forest Reserve and the Mullins River Basin have removed critical vegetation - which now poses a major threat to the watersheds of North Stann Creek and Mullins River.
The President of STACA - explained it to us over the phone today:..
Anthony Hislop, Chairman - STACA
"Last week I found out through my rangers, they reported to me on Thursday night that logs have been removed directly from within the creek head which the national integrated water resource have with government grounds. That puts at risk the water supply that Billy Bakadeer protects for the villages of Steadfast at Alta Vista. These people get their potable water directly from the Billy Bakadeer National Park and this is something they have been trying to prevent from before. My opinion of this is greed - is somewhere along the line."
Jules Vasquez
"Is flooding a very real risk with the clearing of these critical areas?"
Anthony Hislop, Chairman - STACA
"Definately, as my press release states who stands to suffer more because of that you are mentioning is the Mullings River, the coastal road, Mullings River village, Dangriga stand to suffer most by this. This is a problem for us because the Forest Department seems to be unable or refusing to address the matter. Its a big problem for us. To fix this like my press release suggests is that all these operations needs to halt and forestry need to get involve. The only way to fix this is for the people to get up and really do some rebelling because negotiations is not working. It seems that only the people who stands to lose are working in good faith. The people who are gaining are just working for the almighty dollar."
STACA SAYS THAT numerous failed attempts have been made since last year GET the Forest Department involved in monitoring and regulation of the logging operations.
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