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Colombia Forest Conundrum Continues To Confound Authorities
posted (May 8, 2024)
And in the Colombia Forest Reserve, we've told you about the wooden bridges built by Guatemalan loggers and destroyed by the BDF.

But, reports tell us that as they destroy, the Guatemalans build them back. The Brigadier General explained that because of the vastness of the forest, they aren't able to properly manage it, and requested the assistance of an NGO, in the same way FCD co-manages the Chiquibul. Today the media asked Minister Habet for his thoughts.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"I mentioned just now in my speech that we want to see how we can encourage other community based organizations to be able to manage some of these areas and one of them that I have had specifically in mind for the past few years was the Colombia Reserve. I see it where we can get a group of people to be able to form a CBU, be trained by PACT and by the National Biodiversity Office to be able to do the management. I understand that a lot of BDF soldiers who retire and they really retire young, come from those communities, and so they will be able to do the work for the rangers, the patrols, and then have a group that is trained to do the management and the problem is being exacerbated because we don't have the man power as you mentioned and I think it's mostly Guatemalan incursions coming into Colombia, taking down the trees, and taking out the logwood."

Reports tell us the logging operations are within earshot of the BDF post in the Columbia Forest Reserve.

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