The President: Damaya@presidencia.gob.pa Administrator of the Environmental Authority: l.castro@anam.gob.pa Minister of Economics and Finance: catimvasquez@mef.gob.pa Minister of the presidency: ureal@presidencia.gob.pa Minister of Education: jbernal@meduc.gob.pa Administrator of National Institute of Culture: arquitel2003@yahoo.com Adminstrator of Tourism: ggal@ms.ipat.gob.pa Adminsitrator of the Canal Region: jross@ari.gob.pa Administrator of the Canal: ad-ex@pancanal.com Dear Mr President and Honourable Ministers and Administrators of the Republic of Panama. I would like to congratulate you on the progress you have made in combating poverty, corruption and environmental degradation within the first few months of your administration. It is due to your commitment to sustainable development that brings the greatest good to greatest number of people over the longest period that I would like to turn your attention to the sale of the public forests of the reverted areas for private housing developments. I fully believe that this development is wrong for the following reasons: ? It removes national patrimony into the hands of a few private owners, thereby ultimately increasing the gap between rich and poor and impeding real developmental progress that aims to decrease this gap ? It will deforest areas that are known to be rich in biodiversity that are inhabited by endangered species recognized under Panamanian law, such as Geoffroy?s tamarin and the yellow crowned Amazon. Furthermore the forests of Clayton are known to be inhabited by at least 5 species of vertebrate and several species of plant of which some are endemic, that are considered to be critically imperilled at the national level, yet no comprehensive study has been attempted to see if the forests in question harbor these species. ? Deforestation will remove a critical link in the biological corridor for wildlife dispersal between Camino de Cruces National Park, Metropolitan National Park and other reverted area forests. ? The housing development will desecrate a part of the ?Camino de Cruces? an internationally important cultural monument, more than 400 years old and one of the first attempts to put a structure across the Isthmus. ? Will impede current attempts to begin new industries based upon tourism and education that already use these particular forests. I would also like to turn your attention to the environmental assessment that was undertaken for one development, that was found to be ?seriously flawed? by a panel of independent scientists for reasons that include flawed methodology, lack of quantitative data and inexact data including the misleading number of species which the forests are said to contain. The assessment category of II that is was given is totally unjustified and is a misrepresentation of the quality and important habitat that these forests provide. The forests of the reverted areas are a national treasure, biologically, socially and culturally and could provide income through tourism and sustainable industries for many years to come. I believe that sale of these forests to private interests will be a step backwards for Panama?s development and undo the good work that your administration is undertaking. Please consider this case and reverse the sale of these lands and protect the forests of the reverted areas for all to enjoy. Yours sincerely
Posted by oskey
at 3:21 AM EST
