URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Chinese Dams threaten Honduras' Moskitia Rainforest!
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Sr. Porfirio Lobo Sosa(President of Honduras), Juan Orlando Hernandez( President of Honduras' National Congress), Dr.Santiago Canton, Jose Miguel Insulza, Miguel Manzi, Ramon Custodio Lopez,Luis Alberto Moreno, Sr.Li Changhua, SERNA
The Moskitia is a vast area of wilderness located in eastern Honduras and Nicaragua. The area forms the largest tract of rainforest in Central America and is known as the "Little Amazon". The region consists of multiple ecosystems, including rainforests, wetlands, mangroves, lagoons, savannahs, mountains, pine forests, and rivers. The Rio Platano Reserve was created by the Honduran government to protect the large tropical jungles. The reserve was soon declared a biosphere reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, internationally identifying it as a gem of nature. The Tawahka Asangni Biosphere Reserve and Patuca National Park were later created south of the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in order to connect the entire Moskitia region, along with the neighboring Bosawas Biosphere Reserve in Nicaragua. Together they formed the second largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, after the Amazon. The Moskitia is extremely rich in biodiversity and contains hundreds of recorded mammals, bird, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish, fungi, and plants. These species include rare and endangered wildlife, such as the Jaguar.In addition, most of the area remains unexplored and many new species remain undiscovered. Along with its rich Biodiversity, the Moskitia is also home to multiple Indigenous tribes that have lived in harmony with the forests for thousands of years. These include the Tawahka, Pech, Garifuna, Moskito, and the Mayagna people. Throughout the centuries, they have left many archeological sites behind, such as rock carvings and lost ancient cities. They have had to overcome multiple natural dangers and have survived many challenges. Unfortunately, now both the Moskitia Rainforest and the local native tribes face possible destruction from outside threats of great magnitude!!
The first significant threat to the Moskitia is the planned construction of three major dams on the Patuca River, which cuts through the heart of the forest. The Honduran government recently signed a contract with a Chinese company to begin construction of these dams. The indigenous groups of the Moskitia united to try to stop the construction but they have not been completely heard. If the dams are constructed it would cause both ecological disaster and would put the lives of many tribes in danger! Fish that live in the river would being to die because they would be prevented from migrating by the dam. Also, the river's volume, temperature, and flow would be altered causing the habitat of many animals to quickly change negatively. The reservoirs would flood hundreds of acres of forest and organic matter, which would produce high amounts of greenhouse gases, speeding global warming. The reservoirs along with the construction of new roads would disturb migration patterns within the environment. The harm of the dam would be equally evident in the native tribes. For example, the dams would upset flood cycles in the river, causing the destruction of villages near the river. The locals depend on the river for transportation and communication, but the dams would alter the river's course and make it difficult for the natives to trade. The new road networks would provide easy access for invaders, ranchers, and drug traffickers to enter the Moskitia region, destroying the environment and violating the native's rights. We can't let this happen. Please support the indigenous people in their fight for justice, land rights, and the preservation of both the forest and their culture!
The other major threats to the Moskitia are unsustainable and illegal logging, fishing, hunting, farming, and mining within and around the forests. The rate of deforestation continues to rise and could destroy the entire forest if no strict laws are created to prevent logging. Illegal hunting and fishing causes a sharp decline in the local wildlife and disturbs the food web. Mining also harms the river with dangerous toxins, which also causes sickness among the local tribes that drink the water. The source of all these problems come from the invasive, ladino farmers and ranchers from the west. These invaders enter the Moskitia and clear large amounts of forest in order to raise cattle or farm in the area. Land conflicts develop between the native tribes and the ranchers. The ladinos violate the natives' land rights and just take the land from them. Please help the Moskitia by asking the government to pass stricter laws in order to prevent the destructive force of the ladino invaders! You can help save these forests and its unique people! Thank you for your support!
I commend Honduras for endorsing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labor Organizations Convention 169, which recognize Indigenous Peoples’ right to free, prior, and informed consent for projects that would affect them.
The Patuca III dam project is a test of Honduras' commitment to Indigenous Peoples' rights. To comply with the UN Declaration and ILO 169, your administration must not approve construction of dams on the Patuca unless or until you obtain the free, prior, and informed consent of the Tawahka, Pech, Miskito, and Garifuna peoples. For more than a decade, these Indigenous peoples have steadfastly opposed dam construction on the Patuca River, and they continue to do so.
I am deeply concerned that damming the Patuca River will exacerbate the impacts of global warming, threaten food security and the cultural survival of the Tawahka people, disrupt transportation and commerce for all the peoples of the Moskitia, alter a vital river ecosystem, and put at risk the invaluable biological diversity of Patuca National Park, the Tawahka Asangni Biosphere Reserve, and the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve. I respectfully ask that you consider and aid in the following:
* suspending development of dams on the Patuca until and unless independent studies determine conclusively that the project will not harm the environment nor threaten the well being and cultural continuity of the Indigenous Peoples of the Moskitia. Consider using funding for other renewable energy projects, such as wind or solar, that will benefit the community and Honduras, without harming the environment.
* Working with the neighboring government of Nicaragua,creating strict laws that will outlaw all illegal and unsustainable logging, hunting, fishing, mining, farming, drug trafficking, and colonization performed by non-natives or other invaders, including in areas near the Moskitia such as Olancho, Trujillo, and Puerto Lempira. This will preserve the area's biodiverisity and conserve the indigenous peoples' culture. Also, implementing reforestation and conservation projects to heal the damage already committed.
* recruiting and placing new properly trained rangers/officials in the area in order to guarantee that the laws are carried out and followed in the region. These new officials should larger in numbers and be located in key points of the forest, including Las Marias, Mocoron, Dulce Nombre de Culmi, the Patuca River, Palacios, and other sites where needed.
* Promoting and funding research projects in the area to provide full analysis of the biodiversity in the region and its total value. In addition to research, environmental education should be provided throughout the nation in order to bring awareness about the importance of the environment, especially targeting younger students.
* Supporting and funding ecotourism in the region. Ecotourism will bring wealth to the region and promote Honduras' environmental image as a green destination. The local indigenous tribes will be able to make a living based completely on tourism. Please aid in the development of visitor centers, ecolodges, and community projects such as reforestation.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this important letter and please take these steps in to action. It will benefit the entire community and Honduras economically, socially, and environmentally. Make Honduras an example to other nations! Thank you again for your time!
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.