A few weeks ago, the Belize Times featured the story of growing concerns on the protection and management of the Elijio Panti National Park in the Cayo district.  The report highlighted the increasing evidence that the protected reserve is fast-becoming a system in jeopardy, and this week we can reveal recent correspondence between the government and local co-managers which underline the blatant disregard for non-governmental organisations, despite their striving to protect our environment.

The Itzamna Society has been a leading co-manager of the Elijio Panti National Park since 2001, and has excelled in its three objectives: promoting biodiversity, cultural patrimony and community development.  However, in April of this year, a shock announcement made by Minister Montero left the Itzamna Society feeling used and abused as it was revealed that a newly formed Belize Development Foundation (BDF) would take over the management of the Elijio Panti National Park.  Yet with no official confirmation of this statement, and revealing a serious lack of intra-departmental government communication, the Chief Forest Officer Wilber Sabido advised the Itzamna Society to continue their de facto management of the Park in the interim, despite the BDF having de jure responsibilities.   

            The change in governance forced the Itzamna Society to reduce their managerial authority over the Park, and in the absence of any other conscientious management practices, the Park became a prime target for offences, from failure to adhere to the Park entry regulations, to a rampant disregard for the wildlife protection measures through illegal hunting.  Distressed by the rapid deterioration of the Park, the Itzamna Society willingly agreed to continue performing their crucial role in the protection of the Park, although they were credited with no official authority after the expiration of their co-management contract.

With no gratitude, and as though to rub salt in the wound, the Itzamna Society (having restored order to the Park) then received an invitation from the Belize Development Foundation inviting them to the official ‘handing-over’ ceremony.  I quote from the invitation, “the objective of the meeting is the transfer of assets that belong to the national park from Itzamna Society to the Belize Development Foundation”, an initiative authorised by Vega, in true ‘Grabby’ style.

            The Itzamna Society has been left with few options but to accept these ‘orders’, but its members refuse to facilitate further abuse of the park by keeping silent.  Last week, the Itzamna Society released a press release on the issue, stating: “the protected area plays a major role in the daily lives of the three communities [San Antonio, Cristo Rey and El Progresso 7 Miles] because of its watershed, flora, fauna and established sacred cultural areas.  Now the government wants to take over and give it away to politically appointed groups who have no experience in the management of protected areas.  Some of the protected areas are under threat because the government wants to issue lands to petroleum companies as well”.

            Ostensibly, the BDF is only temporarily the sole manager of the Park, until the draft co-management agreement template is finalised in September.  In a letter addressed to the Itzamna Society on 11th August, Chief Forest Officer Wilber Sabido stated that once a legally-binding agreement is finalised, “the Ministry may then identify a co-management partner for the management of the Elijio Panti National Park”.  He goes on to say, ”I have also advised the Belize Development Foundation that it is critical that you both initiate discussions on a possible merger between both organisations which seemingly share a common mission for the management of the Elijio Panti National Park”.

            I wonder if the Ministry would mind clarifying this issue for us, just so that we can all understand its longer term objective.  If I have it right, the plan is to give all the power and bonuses to the politically appointed members of the BDF, whilst relying on the Itzamna Society to actually do all the work?  In other words, dis-empowering the community organisation (which has proved its success in the management of the Park for nearly a decade) so that the Itzamna Society becomes nothing more than a puppet for the BDF who will, sitting behind their desks in Belmopan, be reaping the rewards. 

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