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Guatemala Faces Desertification Threats
Guatemala, Mar 26 (Prensa Latina)
At least 16 of the 22 Guatemalan departments are currently threatened by desertification, due to indiscriminate wood cutting and lack of a state policy to support communities. This was the conclusion presented by experts at a meeting of the UN Convention of Struggle against Desertification and Drought, held the present week in the Guatemalan eastern Rio Hondo municipality. Environment Ministry official Carlos Mansilla warned that if urgent measures are not adopted, erosion will extend in 40 years from the southeastern region to Quetzaltenango’s western area and the Pacific Ocean coastal strip.
At least 16 of the 22 Guatemalan departments are currently threatened by desertification, due to indiscriminate wood cutting and lack of a state policy to support communities. This was the conclusion presented by experts at a meeting of the UN Convention of Struggle against Desertification and Drought, held the present week in the Guatemalan eastern Rio Hondo municipality. Environment Ministry official Carlos Mansilla warned that if urgent measures are not adopted, erosion will extend in 40 years from the southeastern region to Quetzaltenango’s western area and the Pacific Ocean coastal strip.
In that area, mountains that had been full of woods until recent times, look deforested now, and according to Eduardo Suchini, of Unity against Desertification and Drought, a $10 million annual investment is necessary to re-sow the lost trees.
Besides reforestation with local species, it is necessary to grant government support to the populations at risk to avoid greater damage to the soils where produce for local consumption is cultivated.
(continued)hr/iom/car/mga
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