environment

Group urges greater protection for mangroves

A recent study cited contradictions in Panama’s laws regarding coastal areas.

While mangroves are protected, they can be removed for tourism-related projects.

Carlos Lemos/LA PRENSA

threatened:An environmental group is urging Panama’s government to pass stricter laws regarding coastal development.1016985

Panama's laws regarding the protection of coastal resources such as mangroves are filled with "contradictions and inconsistencies" according to a study by an environmental group.

The Centro del Agua del Trópico Húmedo para América Latina y El Caribe (Cathalac) recently published a report about Panama's coastal protections. It cited a law passed in 2007 which prohibited the destruction of mangroves, "except for tourism-related developments, with the approval of an environmental impact study."

Noel Trejos, one of those who conducted the study, said that the law does little to protect coastal resources from development, as most of the projects that are located in threatened areas are related to tourism.

"There is a serious lack of institutional control," Trejos said.

The study also highlights the pressure that has been placed on Panama's coastal areas from agricultural activities and logging, as well as tourism-related projects.

While not mentioned in the study, officials from the Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá (Arap) also discussed the fire in mid-March that destroyed 20 hectares of mangroves in Juan Díaz. The cause of that fire is believed to be arson.

At the presentation of the Cathalac report yesterday, Reynaldo Pérez Guardia from Arap pledged to take its recommendations to heart and propose changes that would offer greater protections for mangroves.

The report also suggested that the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (Anam), Cathalac and Arap form a committee to look at identify coastal areas at risk and to pressure legislators to pass laws to protect those areas.