Venezuelan Rainforest Imataca Faces Mining and Logging Destruction
9/19/97
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Headline: Venezuelan Rainforest Imataca Faces Mining and Logging
Destruction
Source: Tony Caplan
The White Mountain School
Bethlehem, NH 03574
603 444-0925
e-mail tcaplan@wms.org
Date: 9/19/97
Dear Chad Dobson:
An Amazonian rainforest reserve the size of Holland faces imminent
destruction at the hands of international mining and logging interests
unless the Venezuelan government feels immediate pressure to reverse a
presidential decree giving these companies the rights to operate in the
protected land.
Imataca is a forest reserve of 3.6 million hectares located at the foot of
the Guyana Shield, home to some of the most unique flora and fauna in the
world alomg with five indigenous groups who depend on the natural
resources for their survival. the park, whose name means "Drop of Water in
the Night" in the Warao language, is currently an officially protected
reserve although it has been systematically and illegally invaded by
mining and logging companies. But a recent unilateral presidential decree,
issued without proper public consultation, aims to turn the park into a
totally developed area, increasing gold production alone more than three
fold over the next few years.
Although there is considerable local opposition to the decree, and the
management plan for the area which it authorizes, we need help
internationall in whatever form to pressure the Venezuelan government to
reverse this decision. The decree is currently under consideration by the
Venezuelan Supreme Court as to its constitutionality. I appreciate your
help.
Tony Caplan
The White Mountain School
Bethlehem, NH 03574
603 444-0925
e-mail tcaplan@wms.org