New Highway to Rainforest Paradise Sparks Fears of Environmental Fallout

With the new highway opening up access to the breathtaking rainforests of Mountain Pine Ridge and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, there’s growing concern that this gateway to nature could also become a gateway to exploitation. While eco-tourism opportunities may be on the horizon, so too is the risk of large-scale land clearing and that could spell trouble for the very infrastructure meant to connect us to these natural wonders. Chief Engineer at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Evondale Moody, explains how unchecked development could impact the newly built highway and what’s being done to protect both the road, and the rainforest.

 

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“It is of importance to us because of the drainage structure we have installed along the road and the side drains that we have constructed. The development of these areas will significantly impact our drainage system. So it is important for us to highlight that we are hoping the right agencies manage these assets so that it does not infringe on the investment that we have  made for the development of access.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is one example of how development in that area could affect your drainage system?”

 

Evondale Moody

“One key thing I can highlight at this point is what has occurred on the Coastal Highway where we have deforestation. So the significant deforestation along the Coastal Highway created significant impact on our drainage structures because we have excessive rainfall. Normally that rainfall would be absorbed by the vegetation and because we don’t have that vegetation there now it has created runoff and the runoff is also increased in terms of its velocity. Normally the vegetation would slow down that runoff before it reaches the drain. So we were very much concerned if that would happen in the Caracol Road as well, because that area is more of a pine ridge area and you have more siltation. The siltation buildup will create blockage to our drain.”

 

Paul Lopez

“That type of deforestation, is it case where it impacts if it happens further in the jungle space, or it has to be along the drain or road?”

 

Evondale Moody

“It basically depends, because it is more impactful if it happens along the corridor of the road. But it can also impact us if it happens away from the road. Does low lying areas are led to a catchment area and those catchments areas are tributaries to other drainage channels that still ends up on the highway or passing through the highway.”