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Countries Appendix GUATEMALA (35.4%) Guatemala has one of the most extensive and diverse forest systems in Central America. The forests are threatened by colonization, which leads to agriculture and fuelwood collection- and commercial logging activities. The loss of 203,500 acres (82,400 hectares) of forest each year causes soil erosion and loss of suitable drinking water. Commercial logging is carried out within reserves, like the 4 million acre Maya Biosphere Reserve, allegedly by Mexican firms from across the border. The loggers are reportedly helped by the Guatemalan army which keeps the park rangers away. The lumbermen are helped by a recent amendment to the constitution which allows the collection of "fallen" wood within the reserve. Additionally the forests of the reserve are threatened by pressures exerted by the rapidly increasing population around the park. For example, the population of Petèn has grown from 20,000 to 300,000 in the last 20 years. In 1992, the city's population was increasing by 35% annually. The population collects fuelwood and cuts forest for subsistence agriculture. Additionally roads opened up by the Guatemalan army looking for guerrillas, and the petroleum industry looking for oil, and loggers, grant access to reserve lands to cattlemen and peasants. In the 1997 peace settlement between government forces and rebels, a significant part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve was turned over to farmers. 1998 fires burned more than 160,000 acres (65,000 hectares) of the reserve. Some things are looking up for Guatemala's forest. Increasing environmental awareness on the part of the government and local conservation organizations may result in more funding and improved management for threatened reserve areas. In addition, ecotourist attractions like the Maya Biosphere Reserve are bringing more revenue and also slowing illegal destruction within the park. One promising conservation group is FUNDAECO (the Foundation for Eco-Development and Conservation) which teaches farmers how to improve their crop yields so they will not have to cut more forest for new land, and purchases land to set up private reserves with local farmers as park rangers. . . . . . For current information I highly recommend trying the CIA and FAO links below. |
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