LaEstrella: Great article about PNO concerns over Progress vs Environment of Panama

Environmental

Development and environmental protection: a political dilemma

The Government is promoting two road projects that have resulted in the destruction of forested areas and the questioning has come to the fore. There are those who consider it inevitable. Others, which is part of the inconsistencies in government policy

 

 

ALWAYS THERE WILL BE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT OBLIGUATE THE STATE TO ELIMINATE WOODEN ZONES TO IMPROVE THE CIRCULATION, ESPECIALLY WITH A VEHICULAR PARK IN INCREASE

JOSÉ ANTONIO DOMÍNGUEZ
DEPUTY

HOW DO YOU EVALUATE THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT, TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, FINISH DEVASTATING WOODEN AREAS?

There will always be circumstances that force the State to eliminate forest areas if it is to improve circulation, especially when the growth of the vehicle fleet is upward. You should always look for ways to avoid touching the forests, and also, when you have to affect them, have prepared in advance the formulas for mitigating the effects that appear as results.

IS IT JUSTIFIED THAT FOR THE EXTENSION OF OMAR TORRIJOS AND THE INTER-AMERICAN AVENUE, THAT QUANTITY OF FORESTS HAS BEEN CAUSED?

The existing roads must have an easement that was established from its construction in order to make future expansions. In many parts of the national territory these servitudes have been violated and, in many cases, knowing the authorities of the moment who did nothing to claim them and thus keep them preserved for the future. If the extension that is required to be done can not be done with the spaces available in the existing easements, as there is no other. If the extension of the roads is necessary, areas surrounding these roads will be affected.

IF THE COUNTRY REQUIRES THESE ROAD PROJECTS, DO YOU CONSIDER THAT IT CAN BE DEVELOPED WITHOUT THE NEED TO DEVAST FORESTS OR IS IT THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE?

I think that question has already been answered.

THE GOVERNMENT PROMOTES THE PROJECT OF REFORESTATION ALLIANCE FOR THE MILLION HECTARES. IS IT CONTRADICTORY THAT THIS PROJECT IS PROMPTED ON THE ONE SIDE AND, FOR THE OTHER, IT IS DECIDED TO ELIMINATE FORESTS?

When planning the expansion of the Panama Canal, the ACP decided to start a reforestation plan for a large number of hectares, since they knew that during the expansion they would affect forested areas. Whenever a wooded area is affected as a result of any project, it must be required that whoever causes the affection reforests at least twice the area affected.

HOW DOES IT EVALUATE THE ROLE OF THE MIAMBIENTE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENTAL PROJECTS OF INFRASTRUCTURES THAT INVOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE?

I am not aware of the position taken by that entity in each of the cases that have been presented.

WHAT MEASURES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO CONJUG DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION?

Four recommendations: seek to affect as little as possible the forested areas and the fauna of the area, when it comes to roads require in the construction of said road special crossing areas for the different species that inhabit the area, coordination with the Ministry of Environment to carry out periodic reviews of these routes to examine that the measures adopted are giving good results in the preservation of fauna and flora and, finally, to encourage communities to be involved in the preservation, both of wildlife and of the flora, and establish fines to those who cause damages and rewards to those who denounce those who cause damage, presented the evidence.

THE DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS FOR PUBLIC PROJECTS EVIDENCE AN ABSOLUTE LACK OF PLANNING AND INSTITUTIONAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

WALKIRIA CHANDLER D’ORCY

A LAWYER

HOW DO YOU EVALUATE THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT, TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, FINISH DEVASTATING WOODEN AREAS?

Evidence shows an absolute lack of planning and institutional irresponsibility, since no relevant mitigation measures were taken. In fact, the ‘reforestation’ in another area will not cushion the environmental damage caused, since the affected area played a role to prevent soil erosion near the Canal basin and to guarantee rainfall in the area.

IS IT JUSTIFIED THAT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE OMAR TORRIJOS AND INTER-AMERICAN AVENUE, THAT QUANTITY OF FORESTS HAS BEEN CAUSED?

Of course not! The impact on species of flora and fauna is irreversible. Due to the anthropogenic effect, the forested area is being replaced by roadways that will not only cause deaths of species of the impacted fauna, but also greater pollution, noise pollution, less rain, and could even be a landslide area in the future.

IF THE COUNTRY REQUIRES THESE ROAD PROJECTS, DO YOU CONSIDER THAT IT CAN BE DEVELOPED WITHOUT THE NEED TO DEVAST FORESTS OR IS IT THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE?

There were more alternatives. While sustainable development takes force in other countries, improvisation prevails in our country. Conducting the pertinent studies and taking alternative measures could be more economically expensive at this time; nevertheless, its future revenue for the country, at a time when climate change is not foreign to us, is very serious; and I insist, we are talking about the area adjacent to our Canal in which the forest area had to be preserved.

 

READ MORE:http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/desarrollo-proteccion-ambiental-dilema-politico/24093980

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