Ecologists emphasize that the Laguna del Tigre National Park, in the Petén department of Guatemala, contains 70 to 80 percent of forest, a great biodiversity and important freshwater reservoirs, which makes it a strategic area to be preserved. Conservationist feel the need to emphasize the ecological importance of the National Park as institutions interested to exploit the area for petroleum have led to believe there is nothing to protect.

Claudia Santizo, executive secretary of the National Council of Protected Areas of Guatemala (CONAP), explained that 80 percent of the park is covered with diverse types of vegetation and that an estimated area of over 43000 hectares of the reserve’s wetlands and freshwater reservoirs should be preserved. Santizo emphasized that the Laguna del Tigre National Park is the most important wetland of Mesoamerica, to the point that because of the threat of the expansion of oil contracts an international mission of the Ramsar Wetlands Convention will be visiting Guatemala in the coming weeks. Byron Castellanos, from the Balam Association, explained that the Laguna del Tigre Reserve is one of 14 ecosystems that are vital to the Maya Biosphere Reserve. He further explained that it is the only place where the Scarlet Macaw reproduces, a species in danger of extinction, and that it is the site with the densest population of the Mesoamerican River Turtle, which is another endangered species. The reserve is also of great cultural significance, as many archaeological Mayan sites are located within the reserve such as El Peru Waka, which used to be the commercial contact between Tikal and Calakmul. Castellanos added that the San Pedro River is born in the Laguna del Tigre Reserve and that this important waterway will be lost if the area is abandoned. Rafael Maldonado, coordinator of the Environmental Legal Action Center, said that those interested in promoting oil drilling sell the idea that there's no biodiversity left in the reserve; they have been helped by the attitude of current and previous governments who wish to limit the budget of CONAP. He added that the National Park is a safe haven for hundreds of species of migratory birds and that preserving the flora and fauna of the area could give the local communities a more valuable livelihood than oil. Maldonado said that extending the oil contract is of high danger to the park as it allows to continue operating the Xan well, drill five more wells and refurbish six others that were abandoned. Rafael Espada, Vice President of the Republic, expressed to be in favor of the oil exploitation, provided it is undertaken within the law, at the same time he avoided to rule in favor of extending the contract or defending the Laguna del Tigre National Park.
Santizo repeated that CONAP opposes to the oil contract extension, due to the negative impact.

If you would to visit Mayan Ruins or have an Adventure Travel at Guatemala as a way to promote Green Activities we recommend you visit the following link:

Tikal Tours