Once again the Belizean struggle between financial gain and environmental preservation has lost ground in favor of cashing in now; Crooked Tree Wildlife Preserve is the latest casualty.
The Crooked Tree Wildlife Preserve and Crooked Tree Village in central Belize is an extraordinary place. The people and the unique ecology and geography of Crooked Tree have made it an internationally recognized RAMSAR site. RAMSAR wetland sites are recognized as being of “international importance”. Crooked Tree Wildlife Preserve is the only inland island in this hemisphere which can make that claim. Why then are the people of Belize standing by as this Belizean jewel is being choked to death by a road across the very lagoon that breaths life into the Crooked Tree ecosystem.
Belize News Post has exclusive images of the damage to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Preserver ecosystem.
Water Stagnation and Sediment Build Up
This improperly and illegally constructed road had exposed Crooked Tree and other communities to much greater storm damage by removing the natural storm protection provided by these wetlands.
The Road Crooked Tree Lagoon
The environmental damage caused by this road has also contaminated the water systems for Crooked Tree and impacted the water system that replenishes the aquifer that provides water to Crooked Tree Village.
Crooked Tree Lagoon
Finally, the road has destroyed habitat that thousands of birds rely on. Birding is the primary reason that tourists go to Crooked Tree. The Golden Goose is dying.
Wil Maheia
July 3, 2009
This is sick! I would like to know when the DOE will bring charges against the ones responsible for this damage. I see them quick to charge people who destroy the reef with their yachts well in my opinion this ecosystem is as important as the reefs. DOE need to bring on the charges.
I also want to know what happen to the people of crooked tree who benefit from tourism dollars. Do we have to have foreigners move in and become stake holders before we hear a word out of the community. I bet if this was Placentia this would not fly. Bravo to the people of Placentia who stand up for what they believe in. They protect and fight for their community. Bravo Placentians..
belizenewspost
July 3, 2009
Thanks for comments Wil.