NGOs reject attempts to cut back RAMSAR site protection in PANAMA BAY

It
has never happened that a country in the Americas, a member of the
Ramsar Convention, aimed at the protection and wise use of wetlands in
the world, has tried to eliminate or restrict formally the limits of a
Ramsar Site. However, our country has been trying by various means to
reduce the limits of Panama Bay Ramsar Site, even ignoring the
Convention proceedings. On 26 March, the Ministry of Housing and Land
Management (MIVIOT) presented the results of a study contracted by them
to justify the reduction of the limits of this site called ‘urgent
national interest’ which clearly was not evidenced in the presentation.
The study results presented force special interests and seems to ignore
the true national interest to protect these wetlands that help reduce
the risk of natural disasters caused by socio flooding in Panama City
are increasingly common in the rainy season and, aggravated by the
phenomenon of rising sea level. Environmental organizations felt that
towards the lives of people at risk, with events in years past, should
not be allowed any more affection towards these valuable ecosystems.

They called on the Panamanian government that instead of wanting to
affect the integrity of wetlands in the area of Bay of Panama, to the
detriment of the many benefits these ecosystems provide us, strengthen
security measures and actions to ensure the rational use of wetlands, as
contemplated in the Strategic Plan of the Government of Panama from
2010 to 2014. They reiterated the need to pass the National Wetland
Policy, developed with broad participation of various sectors and long
rests in the hands of the Government for approval and official.

They insisted on the call made ​​to the Panamanian State on the
occasion of World Wetlands Day, on February 2, to restore the protection
of wetlands and stop the destruction. Through a statement, on that
date, 33 non-governmental organizations presented 11 national and
international demands that the state must meet for it. Environmental
organizations emphasized that Panama has the opportunity to be a role
model for the conservation of wetlands in compliance with international
agreements of biodiversity, climate change and others, as well as trade
agreements and in the consistency of decisions national. Or conversely,
can generate negative precedents that pass over our borders, ignoring
international commitments and locally affect the environment, human
security and the economy.

Notes:
–
In Panama there are 39 wetlands * (coastal and inland), many of which
are threatened by uncontrolled use of its resources, pollution,
alteration of water flow, or that are being filled for construction, all
this, without climatic phenomena also affect them.
–
The Republic of Panama, as a party and signatory to the Ramsar
Convention, has achieved the designation of five sites as Wetlands of
International Importance: Panama Bay, Gulf of Montijo,
Damani-Guariviara, Punta Patiño and San San-Pond Sak. As a result, these
wetlands are preserved to continue to provide important goods and
services to the Panamanian population, including being the source of
income for many families who depend directly on these wetlands.
* Data obtained from ³ Inventory of inland and coastal wetlands of Panama (CREHO) http://www.cich.org/documentos/anam-avina-2010-humedales.pdf

For more information contact:  
Antonio Chang, Attorney focused on Environmental Law. Environmental Advocacy Center – Panama. Tel: (507) 236-0866 / 0868   info@ciampanama.org
Larissa De Leon Gutierrez, Communications Officer MarViva Panama. Tel: (507) 317-4350 / 6677-7631 larissa.deleon @ marviva.net  
Luis Alberto Sierra, ANCON Communications Officer. Tel: (507) 314-0050 / 6040-0027   lsierra@ancon.org

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