Biologists, scientists and local populations are mobilizing in Chiapas to save the Lacandon Jungle, one of the largest green lungs in Mexico, from collapse. The forest, in fact, has lost 70% of its extension since the late 70s.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himBiologists, scientists and local people are mobilizing in Chiapas to save it from collapse Selva Lacandona, one of the largest green lungs in Mexico. The forest, in fact, has lost 70% of its extension since the late 70s.
La Selva Lacandona is a real heritage of biodiversity. It is estimated that in just one hectare of this forest there are 250 different trees that are home to more than 3.200 animal species. Dozens of orchids and hundreds or thousands of insects can coexist in each of these trees. But all of this is now seriously at risk.
Indeed, it appears that the forest has shrunk dramatically over the past 50 years due to hunters, poachers, illegal invaders and land plunderers. The latest expeditions, carried out by biologists and scientists starting from the Estación Chajul (operational base of the experts) with the aim of monitoring the situation of flora and fauna in the forest, have recorded (also through the use of photographic traps) the heavy situation of forest animals.
For example, the body of a decapitated jaguar with severed claws has been found and unfortunately this is not an isolated case since in countries such as China, the head and claws of this animal are sold at high prices as exotic ornaments. .
It is especially at night that most of the invasions occur in the territory protected by the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. There are estimated to be at least nine irregular settlements in the interior. An illegal settlement of seven families can mean the destruction of up to 500 hectares of forest. Between 2000 and 2016, the loss of tree cover in the reserve was 18.000 hectares while in the rest of the jungle, in unprotected areas, it exceeds 100.000. This means that more than 300 million trees have been lost in 16 years or more than 18 million annually.
A part of the team of experts who had to monitor the green area traveled by plane in order to observe the progress of deforestation from above but it was not possible to take photos due to the smoke caused by the fire (which also in this case, as in other parts of the world, are set for the purpose of clearing out parts of the jungle to create land suitable for agriculture or other commercial purposes).
On 1 September, the authorities of the Selva Lacandona wrote a letter addressed to the ministers of the environment and natural resources, agricultural territorial and urban development and to the highest levels of the National Guard and the Attorney General's claiming:
"The eviction of the invaders from the property known as El Correlón, where there is a clandestine airstrip and where these invaders caused a fire in our jungle of over 200 hectares in the heart of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in April" .
Also the Lacandòn (Indian people descending from the Maya who live in the Selva), which historically protects the conservation and biodiversity of the territory, sent a letter to President López Obrador in which we read:
"We disagree and we will not support the invasion of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve as it is the only important climate regulator in our country and in the world"
In 1979 everything that could be found in the Selva was jungle, but now the satellite images show a completely changed scenario, a real devastation that mainly concerns the side of the Marqués de Comillas. Before arriving in these areas it was only possible with small planes, but today there is an internal road and its construction was the beginning of the end for this forest.
According to a report published by Natura y Ecosistemas Mexicanos AC:
"This tropical forest which had an original extension of about one million and eight hundred thousand hectares has reduced its total wooded area by 32% by 1982".
Currently, the damage amounts to two thirds of the original territory. However still:
“It remains the habitat of a great variety of wild flora and fauna in Mexico […]. In the Chiapas jungle, 800 species of diurnal butterflies have been recorded, 24% of mammals and 44% of birds throughout the country "
Although environmental legislation has not stopped strengthening since 1978, current regulatory frameworks are not sufficient to prevent the destruction of ecosystems. Since the Lacandona Forest was included in the forest protection program in the 70s, 70% of it has been lost and this is obviously very serious.
Throughout its history, the Mexican rainforest has undergone constant pressure and various exploitation by: mining programs, agricultural development, poachers and hunters, illegal invasions, road construction, siege by criminal groups and bad politics.
The greatest enemy of the conservation of this green lung always remains man and his mania for making a profit!
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