Infrastructure Growth
Eroding Costa Rica's
'Green' Image: Report
Costa Rica's image as a
'green country' for its
commitment to protecting
environment is at risk
due to the rampant
infrastructure
development, Spanish
news agency EFE reported
Friday quoting a report.
In its latest edition
released Thursday, the
State of the Nation, an
annual study begun 13
years ago by a group of
independent academics,
pointed to what it
called a profound
difference between
'discourse and practice
on environmental
issues.'
It pointed out the
strong economic growth,
notably in the tourism
and real estate sectors,
has forced Costa Rica to
face major environmental
challenges.
The report also cited
lack of adequate
regulation and the
over-exploitation of
natural resources
rampant in the Latin
American country.
According to the
experts' panel, the
biggest threats of
environmental
degradation are on Costa
Rica's Caribbean and
Pacific coasts, both in
the midst of
construction booms.
Residential construction
in Pacific provinces of
Guanacaste and
Puntarenas has been
increased last year by
69.5 percent and 44.3
percent respectively,
well above the national
average of 31 percent,
the report noted.
Results of the
fast-paced development
include 'fragmentation
of rainforests, threats
to coastal ecosystems
and a lack of protection
of mangroves,' the State
of the Nation document
said.
The report also
expressed alarm over the
condition of Costa
Rica's rivers, citing
overuse of water and
growing pollution.
The State of the Nation
concluded its report by
warning the country to
act soon in order to
avoid irreparable damage
to the natural treasures
that have fuelled the
growth in tourism and
real estate developments
catering to wealthy
foreigners. |
|
