New Ranger Base Strengthens Chiquibul Protection Efforts

From Belize City to the Chiquibul, conservation took center stage today. Prime Minister John Briceño headed deep into Belize’s largest protected area to launch a new ranger base, part of a push to strengthen protection of key natural and cultural resources. Friends for Conservation and Development, which co-manages the park, is leading the effort, using patrols, research, and outreach to fight illegal activity and protect biodiversity. Paul Lopez has the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

From the heart of Belize City to the depths of the Chiquibul Forest, the focus shifted to conservation this morning. Prime Minister John Briceño arrived by helicopter deep inside the Chiquibul National Park for the official launch of a new ranger base, an effort led by Friends for Conservation and Development to strengthen protection in one of Belize’s most critical ecosystems. The visit underscores growing attention on safeguarding the country’s natural resources, right at the frontlines.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“You put your lives on the line every single day and I don’t think Belizeans generally understand what you do for this country every single day.”

 

Executive Director Rafael Manzanero has been spearheading the grassroot, nonprofit, conservation organization that has maintained a presence in the Chiquibul Forest and buffer areas since 2007. Through research and enforcement, Manzanero and his team are guardians of the cultural and natural resources in the Chiquibul Maya Mountains.

 

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, Friends for Conservation & Dev.

“At this time FCD has a layout plan and five possible sites around this vicinity that of course in the next steps that I am perceiving needs to be undertaken. FCD will also need to identify, financing for the construction of the ranger base. The temporary building is for basic living on this location and there is the need for a more suitable hub for the deployment of ranger.”

 

FCD rangers will deploy from this location to patrol hundreds of thousands of acres of dense, lush rainforest. And the challenges that await them are numerous, from illegal ranching and encroachment by Guatemalans, to wildlife poaching and land degradation, fueled by agricultural production.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“So these are some of the challenges and when you think about the importance of water, this is one of the most important watershed we have in the country. We have to find way to protect it. Somebody in Belize City opens the tap and get water, they don’t think about where that water is coming from and a lot of that water comes from right here.”

 

Before today, FCD rangers operated from Tapir Camp within the forest reserve. President of the organization says changing location meant taking a leap of faith. Today, they agree that the new site presents immense opportunities.

 

Susana Vanzie, President, Friends for Conservation and Development

“Tapir Camp had become part of our identity. We were so tied to it. So the thought of having to move somewhere else was daunting. But change can also bring opportunity and if there is that window for opportunity you have to when to take that leap of faith.”

 

The new base marks a significant step in bolstering conservation efforts within one of Belize’s most vital and vulnerable ecosystems. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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