Advocacy for the Chiquibul Friends of Conservation and Development Preserving Chiquibul National Park The Chiquibul National Park (cnp) lies within Mesoamerica, a region highlighted as a world hot - spot for species diversity, and considered critical for the preservation of the biodiversity of the Western Hemisphere. I The Chiquibul National Park is Belize’s largest protected area, with an extension covering 264 , 003 acres (106 , 838 ha). I Besides the Chiquibul National Park, this region includes the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (147 , 823 acres) and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve (25 , 550 acres). I The Chiquibul Forest is home to numerous rare and endangered species, including Jaguar (Panthera onca), Ocelot (Felis pardalis), Margay (Felis wiedii), and Scarlet macaw (Ara macao). I The Chiquibul Forest is facing a variety of anthropogenic pressures and threats with varying degrees of intensity. Key Words: Conservation, Chiquibul, biodiversity, human induce deforestation, anthropogenic, intrinsic value, Mesoamerica, and Caracol. Threats to biodiversity I Illegal hunting I Visitor Impact I Legal and Illegal logging I Military Impact I Mining/Oil Exploration I Looting of Archaeological Sites The Emblematic Species I The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) . The species is classified under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (cites). . And they are considered Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (iucn) Red List. I Jaguar (Panthera onca) . As of 2002 the Jaguar was declared Near Threatened and placed on International Union for the Conservation of Nature (iucn) Red List. I Harpy Eagle (Harpija harpyja) . This species is classified as Near Threatened on (iucn) Red List, but almost regionally extinct in cnp. . Harpy Eagles’ once thrived in cnp; recently, Harpy Eagles’ have been reintroduced in cnp but they are still rare. Scarlet Macaw Jaguar Harpy Eagle Bats The subterranean systems is of vital importance for many of the bat species that occur in the Chiquibul forest. These bats and the sensitivity of their roosts are also one of the main reasons why visitation to these subterranean systems needs to be considered with great care. Chiquibul National Park is worth caring about! I Chiquibul has value . Recreational Value . Intrinsic Value . Cultural Symbolic Value . Genetic Diversity Value . Aesthetic Value . Market Value . Life Support Value . Recreational Value . Scientific Value . Religious Value I We need to recognize the value that is already present. I “To harm nature is to harm ourselves, and to defend earth is self - defence.” (Næss, 1989) Management Goal for the Chiquibul National Park Goal: The Chiquibul National Park functions as a core area of protection of biological diversity within the Chiquibul forest and is recognized within the Greater Chiquibul/Maya Mountains Region for its intrinsic natural and cultural values, whilst contributing to national development, regional security and cooperation, and enhancing and maintaining its ecological integrity. Our conservation efforts are failing and we use terms such as “Sustainable development,” “maximum sustainable yields,” “resource conservation,“ “wise use” which are in fact attempts to sugar - coat our ongoing intention to continue to exploit nature for our own, often in- defensible, ends. Negative impacts of human use on Chiquibul National Park Trail creation (and deterioration) Emissions and air pollution Camp - sites (and deterioration) Habitat loss Crowding Firewood collection Tracks and recreation vehicles Visual and noise impacts Human waste problems Impacts on vegetation User conflicts Soil compaction or erosion Cultural vandalism Damage to archaeological sites Taking souvenirs (flora, fauna, etc) Increased fire risk Water pollution (physical or biological) Litter c Jan Meerman The Chiquibul Forest, like most places in Belize, is thought to be dominated with archeological sites. Most of the major and minor centers of archaeological significance that have been mapped in the Chiquibul Forest are located within the Caracol Archaeological Reserve (car) and the northern and central part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, with a few sites in the western Chiquibul National Park South of the car. Within the Chiquibul National Forest lies the Chiquibul Cave System (ccs), the longest and largest known network of caves in Central America. Over 55 km of passages have been mapped and surveyed, including the largest known passage and cave room in the Western Hemisphere. The ccs is a cross boundary feature as a small section reaches into Guatemala. The ccs, due to its extent and integrity represents one of those unique and prestigious cultural features worthy of national importance. We must work together to ensure that our society, in the post - industrial era, is functioning in such a manner that protects our Earth. We have not been acting in an ethical manner. We must accept our responsibility of living as an integral part of an ecosystem. Tourism and Recreation Use Tourism use within the Chiquibul Forest reserve (cfr) has been largely limited to the Caracol archaeological site, which is accessed by an all-weather road through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve (the final 6 kilometers stretch of this access road within the car is paved). There is also the occasional hiker/trekker and spelunker. The two other well-known but less-visited tourism destinations in the area include the caves at Las Cuevas and the Natural Arch, both located within the cfr. Las Cuevas is accessible year-round, except during the height of the rainy season due to the current conditions of the access dirt road. The Natural Arch has recently not been accessible to regular 4X4 vehicles due to severe road conditions, which have been worsened due to constant use by heavy equipment from mining operations. http://www.fcdbelize.org/ [email protected] Friends of Conservation and Development