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ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGNOSIS OF BELIZE

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Four out of every ten Central american children are 14 years or younger. ... due to illegal catches (out of season & Undersized catches of lobster & Conch) ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGNOSIS OF BELIZE


1
ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGNOSIS OF BELIZE
BY Evaristo Avella
2
OBJECTIVES
  • Discuss a Summary of Belizes State of the
    Environment
  • To Present Issues Affecting Belizes Environment
  • To Discuss Issues of Concerns Pertaining to
    Belizes Development

3
PROFILE OF BELIZE
  • Natural Resources Environment
  • Belize has a total land area of 23,963 km2,
    distributed as follows
  • 75.6 in natural vegetation (mainly broadleaf and
    open broadleaf forests),
  • 9.7 under various forms of agricultural
    production and fish farming,
  • 14.6 in other use

4
PRINCIPAL LAND USES
  • sugarcane,
  • annual crops-mechanized,
  • shifting cultivation (called milpa in Belize),
    cattle grazing
  • annual crops under non-mechanized cultivations,
  • tree crops,
  • banana and shrimp farming.

5
The Natural Resources of Belize
  • a beautiful country with abundant
  • rainforests, reefs, caves, waterfalls and
    wildlife.
  • The famous barrier reef, with attractive beaches
    and rich marine life, was Designated as a "World
    Heritage Site" in 1996.
  • Belize boasts a large contiguous forested area
    north of the Amazon, helping to form a critically
    important corridor from North to South America.
  • As of 2002, about 42 of the country has been
    legally declared as protected area

6
DEMOGRAPHY
  • Present population of Belize is approximately
    240,000.
  • 1980 (145,000) was growing at 2 per annum as a
    result of a natural rate of 3.8 per annum,
    affected by an outward migration of 1.3 per
    annum.
  • 2.7 growth rate in 2000
  • Population density increased from 6.1 in 1980 to
    9.3 pers. per km2 in 1996.
  • Internal migration (1980), 35 of the population
    lived in Belize District, compared to 29 in 1991
    28 in 2002.

7
BELIZE CENSUS 2000 BY DISTRICT
  • National Population by District, for Belize,
    2000.
  • DISTRICT MALE FEMALE GROWTH TOTAL
  • COROZAL 16,422 16,286 14.9 32,708
  • ORANGE WK19,948 18,942 26.8 38,890
  • BELIZE 34,035 34,162 19.4 68,197
  • CAYO 26,417 26,147 39.5 52,564
  • STANN CK 12,734 11,818 35.7 24,548
  • TOLEDO 11,722 11,575 33.6 23,297
  • TOTAL 121,278 118,930 28.32 240,204
  • Source CSO, 2002

8
THE ECONOMY
  • Belizes Economy is based on
  • A - primary industries ( agriculture, forestry
    and logging,
  • fishing and mining)
  • B - secondary (i.e. manufacturing, electricity,
    water, and construction),
  • C - Service sectors (i.e. trade, restaurants,
    hotels, transportation, communication, finance,
    insurance, real estate, business services, public
    administration and other services).

9
Economy (Continued)
  • All 3 sectors have grown proportionately with the
    national economy,
  • hence maintaining their respective share
    contributions, the most important has been the
    services sector, (approximately 55 of the GDP in
    1996).
  • The services sector is the only sector whose
    relative contribution increased by about 4 over
    the last 15 years (as a result of growth of the
    tourist industry).

10
POVERTY INCIDENCE
  • Table 7. Percent of human population, poor
    and indigent, and poverty levels by social strata
  • ----------------------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------
    -----
  • District Population Poverty among
  • Poor Indigent Youth Elderly
    Female Male
  • ----------------------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------
    ------
  • Corozal 26.7 8.7 25.6
    19.4 27.3 26.0
  • Orange Walk 24.9 5.0 27.5
    44.0 25.6 24.2
  • Belize 24.5 6.5 21.1
    19.3 25.4 23.5
  • Cayo 41.0 19.7 41.1 30.6
    39.8 42.1
  • Stann Creek 26.5 5.1 19.7
    14.3 28.9 24.4
  • Toledo 57.6 47.2 50.0
    45.5 56.3 58.9
  • ------------------------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------
    -----
  • COUNTRY 33.0 13.4 31.6
    27.6 33.1 32.8
  • ------------------------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------
    -----
  • Source Kairi, 1996 in Avila, 1999

11
THE REGIONAL CONTEXT
  • CENTRAL AMERICA

12
The Reality of our countries (Central American
Context)
  • A high diversity,7 of the planet in 0.52 of
    the earths surface .
  • 22 of its land under protection (11.5 million
    hectares).
  • A high rate of deforestation, with 40 to 45
    ha/hour, more than 350,000 per year.
  • Between 1990 to 1995 more than two million
    hectares of forests were lost in Central America.
  • A large number of people in poverty or extreme
    poverty, in some countries exceeding 70 of the
    population.
  • In 1950 the population was 11 millions, 50 years
    later 32 millions (3 times more).
  • Four out of every ten Central american children
    are 14 years or younger.
  • More than half of the population live in rural
    zones
  • A very high energy dependence on wood, more than
    17 million persons depend on it. In 1996, 92 of
    the production of wood was burnt (more than 30
    million cubic meters/year).
  • The area of the region is 511.865 km2 of which
  • 35 is covered with forest
  • 17.5 under protection (only declared PA)
  • 27 in over use
  • 60 of soils are forested

13
Estimated forest loss in Central America for the
period 1990 -1995, in thousands of hectares
14
The Central American Context ... Forest Cover
Protected areas
million Has, 26,1 .
million Has 15,3 .
million Has, 22.6 .
  • Total forested land area
  • 32 Million hectares ,
  • 60 of the total land area of Central America

15
The Central American Contextpercent of forest
cover by country ()
16
Some Issues (C.Am)
  • Poverty, deforestation and the consumption of
    firewood increase, while land degradation
    continues
  • Every time the region has greater vulnerability
    to natural disasters
  • There is a greater demand for Natural Resources
    products and services, which become scarce every
    time

17
The Environmental awakening of Central America
10 years after Esquipulas II
  • 1987 National Regional Environmental Profiles
    - for the first time environmental degradation
    and poverty are linked
  • 1989 CCAD Created the regional organ for
    environmental policy includes ministers of
    environment and natural resources.
  • 1991 Establishment of National Environmental
    Commissions promoted by CCAD. Towards a
    multisectoral approach of the environmental
    problem
  • 1992 Formulation of Tropical Forestry Action
    Plans for Central America. First exercise of
    regional forest planning
  • 1992 Central American Agenda of Environment and
    Development. - A regional initial diagnosis as a
    working platform presented by the Central
    American Leaders in Río 92. -

18
The environmental awakening of Central America
10 years after Esquipulas II
1992 Earth Summit, Río 92. Convention on
Biological Diversity Climate Change adopted by
all countries. All countries of the region have
ratified the convention 1992 Central American
Convention on Biodiversity Priority Protected
Areas Regional agreement on the conservation of
biodiveristy and protected areas Creates the
Central American Counsil of Protected Areas
(CCAP) which includes the head of the NPAS - 1993
Central American Forest Convention - Regional
agreement to maintain forest resources, policies
towards reforestaion and regional coordination
creation of the council of forests (CCAB) 1994
Central American Alliance for Sustainable
Development (ALIDES) A regional political
strategy on sustainable development 1999
Strategic framework for the reduction of
vulnerability disasters in Central America
the relationship between environmental
degredation and vulnerability is recognized
19
THE BELIZE SITUATION
  • STATE OF BELIZES ENVIRONMENT

20
OVERVIEW
  • Belize economy is highly based on environmental
    resources
  • Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism,
  • Low Demographic Pressure has helped to keep our
    country in relatively pristine conditions
  • Several issues now leads to increase risks to the
    environment

21
SUMMARY OF EXISTING SITUATION ISSUES
  • Basic Framework-
  • While preservation of environment has been at
    adequate levels, the following incidences still
    require attention
  • 1)Inefficient land use (e.g. agriculture land use
    where land is unsuitable)
  • 2) Deforestation continues at the rate of 10 to
    12 Ha per year (Tremblay, 1996)
  • BBR (Now called the MBRS) is beginning to show
    signs of deterioration.

22
Summary of existing situation issues (Cont.)
  • While the Overall level of contamination of
    rivers streams seems to be low, there is
    evidence of water-related diseases
  • Contamination with agrochemicals, while existent,
    is concentrated more in the sediments

23
LAND USE MANAGEMENT
  • 79 under forest cover gt42 under protection

24
Land Use Management Key Issues
  • 58 of Land Area is Public Land
  • 600,000 acres under lease to private sector
  • Privatization of public lands has increased (.6 M
    or 10 of total is privately held)
  • Lease to purchase enables farmers to obtain
    estate for commercial farming
  • Suburban sprawl increases due to greater demands
    for housing

25
Land use management (Cont.)
  • Low standards for subdivision of lands has led
    to
  • 1) poor roads and street construction
  • 2) safe water supply sewage disposal
    inadequate
  • 3) lack of adequate drainage
  • 4) pollution of streams waterways

26
Land use management (cont.)
  • Land zoning
  • Little guidance provided (SDA)
  • Lack of coherent land use policy

27
SOLID LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT
28
  • Current waste management systems are incompatible
    with -
  • 1) Public desire for improved sanitary
    conditions
  • 2) maintenance ofa health environment
  • 3) eco-tourism development
  • Solid waste are dumped in open dumps all over the
    country, leading to odour, leachate, air
    pollutants, unsanitary conditions etc.

29
SOLID WASTE (CONT.)
  • Industrial waste includes orange rinds from the
    citrus industry (150,000 tons per year)
  • bagasse from the sugar industry

30
Solid Waste Management Authority
  • The SWMA established will over see solid waste
    management throughout the country
  • This includes site selection of final sanitary
    landfill and the establishment of financial
    mechanisms to conduct the activities

31
FORESTRY AGRICULTURE
  • Fairly extensive forest cover 79
  • Human financial resources inadequate to manage
    this important resource
  • Threats include-
  • 1. Inadequacy of resources for its mgt.
  • 2. Pressure for resource use
  • 3. Illegal logging
  • 4. Poverty of small farmers
  • 5. Inadequacy of land management
  • 6. Agriculture expansion
  • 7. Natural Disasters (hurricanes, diseases etc.)

32
Forestry (Cont.)
33
Positive Opportunities in Forest Mgt.
  • 1. Importance recognized for watershed
    protection, tourism, erosion control, etc,
  • 2. Large tracts of forest resources under
    protection
  • 3. Experience of the sector

34
Protected Areas Management
35
Protected Areas Management (Cont.)
  • Threats include the lack of adequate management
    resources (financial, human technical) while
  • Opportunities include the existence of an ad hoc
    National Protected Areas System Plan and the
    efforts to establish a Protected Areas Policy
  • Establishment of PACT
  • Belize currently boasts of more than 42 of its
    national territory under protection
  • As ecologically important sites were identified,
    these continue to be protected (e.g. Silk Cayes,
    El Pilar, Corozal Bay)

36
TOURISM MANAGEMENT
  • Belize receives lt 1 of tourist visits to CARICOM
    Countries
  • Over 133,000 visits to Belize in 1995
  • 1994-95 Growth rate of 10.9 to 15.9
  • Accounts for 15 of GDP
  • Important Sector for Belize which is based on its
    natural resources

37
Tourism Mgt. (Cont.)
  • Issues-
  • Mass tourism needs to be controlled (carrying
    capacity of sites)
  • Opportunities-
  • Consensus as to the protection of our resources

38
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
  • Belize has a tradition of prioritizing the
    protection of the reef
  • BBRS Designated a World Heritage Site
  • The BBRS is considered of regional and global
    importance in terms of biodiversity
  • The Coastal Marine Environment is also of high
    ecological diversity

39
COASTAL ZONE (Cont.)
  • Coastal Waters supports important species such as
    crocodiles, manatees, marine turtles, and
    numerous birds
  • Mangrove habitats are also important as key
    habitat for juveniles of numerous fish species
  • Mangrove Sea grass beds also support coastal
    stabilization during storm events

40
COASTAL ZONE (Cont.)
  • Threats-
  • Nutrient enrichment from domestic waste other
    nutrient enrichment leads to algal growth
  • Sediment dispersal from anthropogenic activities
    such as mining, deforestation sea grass bed
    alterations
  • Declining environmental conditions (including
    water quality solid waste)
  • Disruption of ecological functions by
    overfishing, hurricanes, uncontrolled diving,
    sports fishing from fossil fuel from boating
    activities

41
OTHER ISSUES
  • Most of the Population Reside along the Coastal
    Zone
  • 80 of all tourist accommodations are in the
    coastal zone
  • 70 of cayes claimed through ownership or lease

42
FISHERIES
  • Contributes 3.5 of GDP
  • 26 M exports in 1994
  • Approximately 3000 people employed

43
FISHERIES SOME ISSUES
  • Overfishing possible due to illegal catches (out
    of season Undersized catches of lobster
    Conch)
  • Attempts have been made to relieve pressure (deep
    sea fishing) but unsuccessful
  • Aquaculture has both opportunities threats
  • Environmental threats can be mitigated by
    industrial responsibility

44
Aquaculture
  • The Shrimp Mariculture industry keeps increasing
    in production every year.
  • In the year 2000, a total of 8,002,166 lbs. of
    farm shrimp were harvested in Belize (A total of
    5,027,351.5lbs. Of farm shrimp were exported in
    the year 2000 (over 60 of the harvest), -
    estimated value of more than 47.4 M.
  • Source Capture Fishery Unit, Fisheries
    Department 2001).

45
Aquaculture (Cont.)
  • Opportunities-
  • Significant employment can be derived
  • Important foreign exchange earnings can be
    derived if re-investment occurs
  • Industry has shown willingness to comply
  • Can reduce pressure on native species (e.g. by
    reducing impact of trawling)
  • Threats-
  • Effluent loading can lead to ecological impacts
  • Lack of coherent policy Zoning plan may lead to
    overuse of land etc.
  • Long term land use changes
  • Belize still has several trawlers

46
ENVIRONMETNAL HEALTH SANITATION
  • Access to safe water has improved
  • Most urban areas have access to potable water and
    about 80 of rural areas
  • Sanitation Services- 75 urban 30 rural
    (1995)

47
Access to water and sanitation (1988) comparing
Belize and other countries in the region
  •  ( of population with access to services) 
  • Potable Water Sanitation
  •    Urban Rural Urban Rural
  •  Belize 100 75 75 30
  •  
  • Costa Rica 100 84 100 93
  •  
  • Guatemala 91 41 72 48
  •  
  • Honduras 89 60 88 44
  •  
  • Trinidad Tobago 100 87 88 44
  • Source World Health Organization (WHO) World
    Bank Estimates for Belize.

48
ISSUES
  • Inadequacy of water supply in some areas has lead
    to waterborne diseases
  • 1995 135 cases of cholera
  • High incidence of hepatitis B
  • Most cases occur in the rural Toledo Cayo
    Districts
  • Cost of water borne diseases is high
  • Malaria is also another large problem
  • Increase from 2,500 cases in 1986-99 to 5,000
    cases in 1992

49
Legal Institutional Framework
  • Belize has a comprehensive set of legislation but
    lacks adequate enforcement in some sectors
  • Laws have been continually strengthened (EPA
    etc.)
  • Institutional strengthening has continued with
    further strengthening required in some areas
  • Working agreements play important roles in
    natural resources management

50
PRIORITY ENVIRONEMNTAL ACTIONS
  • Strengthening Land Management(land registration,
    adjudication etc.)
  • Improving Waste Management(solid, liquid
    industrial)
  • Reducing deforestation unsustainable
    agricultural practices (MBC Climate Change
    Projects)
  • Strengthening legal institutional capacity
  • Enhancing Coastal Zone Management (administration
    of coastal zone, fisheries management practices
    aquaculture development)

51
PRIORITY ACTIONS (CONT.)
  • Coastal Zone (Cont.) monitoring management to
    be improved (water quality monitoring etc.)
  • Financing of Coastal zone conservation
  • Expanding use of financial economic mechanisms
    for environmental natural resources management
    (rational use of fees taxes)

52
PRIORITY ACTIONS (CONT.)
  • Breaking poverty environmental degradation
    cycle
  • Developing a conservation strategy for tourism
  • ACTION PLANS ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE NEAPS
    PROPOSED ACTION PLANS

53
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