Victoria Peak is a national monument and part of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve. Last week someone cleared a 15ft square area near the summit, becoming the focus a “who dunnit” scandal.
Allegedly, Sharon Matola of the Belize Zoo ordered the clearing of this area. The purpose of clearing this pristine forest patch was for a helicopter landing pad, according to the the Belize Audubon Society. Also, according to the the Belize Audubon Society the clearing was never used for it’s “purpose”. The supposed culprit is a tour guide who regularly services Matola, but he was away on a tour and could not be questioned by our investigative journalists. The evidence is shaky at best but Matola supposedly wanted to land her high roller tour near the summit. Belize News Post wonders then, why not use the pad if you have bothered with getting one made? Perhaps, before accusations are made we should consider that damaging the reputation of one of Belize’s leading environmentalists looks bad for all of us. If we are to accuse Matola of anything perhaps we should stick to what we can prove. For example, if you want to call her out on her claim the Belizean school children do not (or is it did?) know what a tapir looks like is b.s. or at least hyperbole we can find video evidence. I for one find it annoying that this little story of hers is the story she tells American media when they come visit the Belize Zoo and of course it is the story to actually make the final cut. (There are to my knowledge two different news interviews with American media in which she tells this story.)
By michael_schamis
Rafael Castillo
July 7, 2009
I find it disturbing that someone like Sharon Matola has the power to order the clearing of land inside a protected area, if it were any other Belizean resident the forestry department and the other NGO's would have been on a prosecution binge. I have always been skeptical of environmental organizations that claim to be doing good by protecting resources for future Belizeans when the resources that they have been given will never be enjoyed by Belizeans unless they pay a fee. Imagine paying to view whats ours. I think it is about time that the Government sets up a commission to review the actions of NGO's in Belize, we dont want another FFB situation in our country where FIFA is allowed to act like a rogue organization within our borders.