| Trucks For The Wilds of Chiquibul |
| Mon, May 29, 2017 |
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Today the Protected Areas Conservation Trust handed over six new trucks to the BDF, Forest Department, Ya'axche Conservation Trust and Friends of Conservation and Development. All four organizations are beneficiaries of the the Chiquibul Forest Investment Initiative, a project launched last December which aims to increase management presence and strengthen enforcement within the Chiquibul area. Higher ups from all the organizations were there to receive the vehicles. Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Hon. Omar Figueroa Figueroa spoke about the Chiquibul Forest Initiative and its importance in securing one of the country's largest reserves. Here's part of that speech...
Hon. Omar Figueroa - Minister of State, Min. of Environment
"The CFII is an important initiative for several reason. The 2.28 million provided by PACT and the EMF for this program is part of a larger 15.8 million investment by the government of Belize to stimulate the protection and conservation of our natural resources in the chiquibul and the surrounding areas. It is also in line with state measures to provide for a sustained level of environmental protection along out borders. The physical changes to the chiquibul and the surrounding landscape from the illegal cross border incursions have become woefully apparent. As a country we are faced with a great challenge. I see this initiative as an important step towards the actualization of improved conditions along our border."
"Over the lifespan of the Chiquibul forest investment initiative key investments will made in human resources, infrastructure and equipment. But another important outcome will be the greater sense of community that will be achieved by virtue of working together to address the environmental threats we face as a country. The success of this initiative will lead to other similar programs that continue to foster the kind of collaboration that is needed now more than ever to manage the vastness of our protected areas system."
The donation is valued at about $450,000.
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