The Chiquibul forest—which has been cited as a major biodiversity hotspot, and which, according to Belize’s national tourism master plan, houses two of the most unique assets in Belize: the Caracol Archaeological Reserve and Chiquibul Cave System—should become “a household name,” said Valerie Woods, member of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD).

The threats to the Chiquibul are linked with escalating illegal incursions by Guatemalans into Belize. Wood said that, “There are financial drivers as to why the Guatemalans are coming over… There is evidence that there is some issue with the drug underworld and so it’s a complicated, comprehensive issue that we feel needs to be aired comprehensively to generate awareness.”

Woods spoke with the media today about an important symposium which she hopes will help the FCD not just nationalize—but also internationalize the cause of the Chiquibul – a cause which she said should see Belizeans rally around it in the same way that they rallied around the Jaguars, when they represented Belize in the Gold Cup games. The Chiquibul cause, she said, is as vital as the very water we drink to sustain ourselves.

“We are really trying to let people become aware that Chiquibul is not just about the one or two Guatemalans who get caught [doing illegal activities]; it is about that, yes, and it’s about the illegal gold mining, yes; but it’s also about the quality of the watershed that is affecting the quality of the water that you and I drink,” Woods commented.

The Chiquibul Symposium 2013 will be held under the caption: “Alarming Threats to Biodiversity, Peace and National Stability,” from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday, July 19, 2013, in the Caracol Room at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City.

Presentations will address the need to look at the Chiquibul Forest as a national conservation priority, as well as the natural history of Belize inside the Maya forest.

“The intent is to just have three sessions, three short 15- to 20-minute presentations, and then we’ve asked the chairpersons to then moderate and facilitate a discussion with some respondents and using the audience as well,” said Woods.

Percival Cho, Sustainable Forest Management Expert, will explore “What is Chiquibul?” Trevor Roe from the Roe Group of companies will generate discussion around the role of Chiquibul, to get consensus that it is important, Woods informed.

Next, FCD’s Executive Director Rafael Manzanero will speak to the heart of the matter: “Alarming Threats to Biodiversity, Peace and National Stability.”

Manzanero, said Woods, will be presenting the stark statistics that they have worked on for years, in collaboration with an array of authorities.

Retired (BDF) Major Lloyd Jones of Zephyr Services Limited and Chief Forest Officer Wilber Sabido will be responding to Manzanero’s presentation.

Roan Balas McNab from the Wildlife Conservations Society (WCS) based in Guatemala will be chiming in on the importance of Chiquibul, not just for Belize but also for Guatemala, said Woods, adding that partner organizations from Guatemala will also be in attendance to shed some light on the reasons behind the incursions.

A highlight of the symposium is the official signing of an agreement, spearheaded by the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), along with FCD and their Guatemalan counterparts.

Among the invited guests are members of the diplomatic corps, including Guatemala’s Ambassador to Belize, and alcaldes from villages along the Belize-Guatemala border.

Speaking of the event, Woods said: “We feel it is very timely, because of the whole ICJ issue: do we go to ICJ or not? The ongoing incursions that seem to have been increasing and [are] increasing, on the Guatemala border area…”

She noted that the total acreage under illegal milpa farming spans an area one and a half times the size of Belize City.

She said that with thousands of areas deforested, things are reaching a critical mass and everybody needs to be aware.

“We can’t talk about [being] sovereign and independent if it is happening every day right through and using Chiquibul as the gateway,” said Woods.

Woods said that the Guatemalans have also been struggling to address deforestation on their side of the border.

The desired outcome is to spark renewed interest for Belizeans to get involved with Chiquibul. The team also hopes to get a suite of recommendations that can be readily or easily implemented by Government and the NGOs.

The Minister of Forestry Lisel Alamilla is expected to present remarks and the Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister is expected to remark on the part of Government on what will be presented.

“We think it’s a well-rounded symposium. It is a first, but like everything else the Chiquibul Symposium will fade. It will be Friday; it will come to an end. It doesn’t mean that the effort stops there,” said Woods.