Controversy Over Hydroelectric Dams at World Heritage Site
Date: 05/04/2007
May 4, 2007
Panama City, Panama
More than 30 environmental organizations have petitioned the United Nations World Heritage Committee over a controversial dam project in Panama’s La Amistad International Park. The park, a World Heritage-designated site, spans land in Panama and Costa Rica, and protects Central America’s largest and most diverse virgin rainforest, according to the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), a nonprofit conservation organization.
The petition asks that the park be declared a World Heritage Site “In Danger,” because of plans to build four hydroelectric dams here. The petition also cites illegal logging in the park, which has long been a concern. La Amistad was declared a World Heritage site in 1990, when the park was recognized as “an outstanding example of ongoing biological evolution that provides significant habitat for threatened species.”
The CBD says La Amistad protects endangered species such as the Central American tapir, the resplendent quetzal, and the harpy eagle. It has an almost unequalled floral diversity as compared to other reserves of equivalent size and boasts one of the highest levels of endemic species in the region. The park is also important to the indigenous tribes that live along its border, including the Naso and Ngobe.
The dispute is over an initiative by a U.S.-based company called the AES Corporation, one of the world’s largest power generation and distribution companies. AES proposes to build a series of hydroelectric dams in the Changuinola River basin. Opponents say the dams would permanently alter some 600 miles of tribal land, devastating unique native species.
Proponents of the project say the dams will offset greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, despite the significant amounts of methane produced.
By listing the park as “In Danger,” conservationists hope to adopt a plan for corrective measures and secure financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund to protect La Amistad.
Best regards,
Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider
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