Tourism Minister Godfrey Smith bolted from the Bacalar Chico de-reservation heat today in an interview with Channel Seven’s Jules Vasquez. The ruling PUP’s Deputy Leader (one of three), Hon. Smith spoke as follows: “Whatever discussion occurred at Cabinet level, was a cursory discussion; it was not an agenda item. It was a very broad, sketchy discussion. To the best of my understanding, there was no decision made in relation to that. I have to say, in all sincerity, that certainly speaking for myself, but I suspect no Cabinet member realized that that was being spoken of, Bacalar Chico, was part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In my view, it would be foolhardy to even contemplate tampering with a UNESCO Heritage Site. I am fairly certain that Cabinet will no longer be interested in looking at that.”
Jules threw a barb: “My daughter is in Standard Five. She knows it’s a World Heritage Site.”
Smith defended, saying not all of Bacalar Chico is World Heritage. “It was not a fully developed discussion. It was a very cursory discussion relating to lands on North Ambergris. My understanding is that no Cabinet decision was made on that matter. I will go so far as to say, I certainly will not be supporting any decision to de-reserve lands that form part of a World Heritage Site. I think it would really be foolhardy.”
There had been much passionate discussion, especially in the tourism sector and among the NGO’s involved with conservation, since news was revealed that the Government of Belize was seriously considering de-reserving a portion of the Bacalar Chico National Park on North Ambergris Caye for the purposes of sale to an interested party. Channel Seven News had told the nation that they had learned, via a “disclosure…by the Opposition Leader (Honorable Dean Barrow)”, about the proposed sale of the Beltraide land, a sizable estate (8,000 acres) on North Ambergris Caye; AND, the de-reservation of a portion of the Bacalar Chico National Park to facilitate a buyer who had already put down “US$1 million as partial payment for 3,000 acres” of the area. Honorable Dean Barrow had claimed that the buyer had insisted on “an amount of beachfront” as part of the transaction.
A release (from GOB) dated Tuesday, October 23, 2007, re-confirms that Cabinet has indeed agreed to sell the Beltraide land, to an investor for US 17 million dollars. The Beltraide land, which comprises approximately 8,255 acres, is located to the south of the Bacalar Chico National Park. The release emphasizes that this parcel “is not a part of the World Heritage designated site (Bacalar Chico).” According to Cabinet, the sale of this portion of land (which, because of the size, must be approved by the National Assembly) was done for the purpose of establishing a “multi-million dollar…world class resort that will create hundreds of jobs and strengthen the economy significantly.”
In the matter of Bacalar Chico, the release states that GOB has been in negotiation with a group “for the sale of…2,700 acres of land in the park.” The portion of the park GOB has considered for sale is described as being “on the lagoon side”…”(not the reef side).” The release states that NO DECISION has been made about de-reserving the park, and goes on to say that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) will “strictly follow proper consultation and due process” before de-reserving any national park.
In related news, the MNRE says that very shortly it will designate a 10,600- acre parcel “in the Peccary Hills area behind Gracie Rock and another 18,000 acres in Northern Corozal” as protected areas.
Amandala contacted Mr. Edilberto Romero, Executive Director of Programme for Belize, to get his comments on these major developments, especially concerning the World Heritage designated site – Bacalar Chico. In respect to the Bacalar Chico, Mr. Romero says that as a member of APAMO (Association for the Protected Areas Management Organization), Programme for Belize says NO to any de-reservation on Bacalar Chico. Furthermore, APAMO is demanding that any de-reservation of any protected area, or the designation of any parcel as a protected area, must go through the National Protected Areas Commission (NPAC). The association (APAMO) has agreed on a plan of action, which will include a media blitz on November 6, with the aim of getting the Prime Minister to commit to their requests, in writing.