Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the local palm oil plantations or farmlands up the Río Grande de Matagalpa, although a
government-sponsored investigation found no evidence of this.
Whether or not it was connected to the fish kill, environmentalists maintain that large-
scale African Palm plantations destroy critical habitat for endangered species and contrib-
ute to soil erosion.
Mining
While mining companies provide well-paid employment (even if profits do go straight out
of the country), conservation groups maintain that cyanide, mercury and other industrial
pollutants flow into the water table. The mines in Las Minas are of particular concern to
environmentalists because they are located on the edge of the Reserva de Biosfera
Bosawás, the largest nature reserve on the Central American isthmus. Small-scale mining
in rural Chontales has lead to mercury contamination in local water supplies around La
Libertad.
NOT FOR SALE: NICARGUA'S NATURAL RESOURCES
It's not ecologists or politicians but Nicaragua's indigenous communities that are the most funda-
mental players in the conservation of the disappearing forests of the Caribbean lowlands.
In 2001 the indigenous Mayangna of Awas-Tingni won a landmark battle when the Inter-
American court ruled that the Nicaraguan government had violated the rights of the community
by signing a deal with an Asian company for lumber extraction on 62,000 hectares of the com-
munity's land.
Shortly afterward, the national government passed a new autonomy law giving the indigenous
communities of the Atlantic autonomous regions free determination of the use of their territories
and the management of all natural resources found on their land. Nicaragua has since issued land
titles to Awas-Tingni and many other indigenous groups in both the Región Autónoma Atlántico
Sur (South Atlantic Autonomous Region; RAAS) and Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (North
Atlantic Autonomous Region; RAAN).
However, the issuing of titles without providing support to reclaim the lands has created prob-
lems for some of the communities. Many indigenous groups don't have the resources to patrol
and protect their lands, which are subject to land invasions by mestizo farmers. Particularly affec-
ted are the indigenous Rama, who number less than 5000, but administer a large territory stretch-
ing from the Río San Juan to Bluefields Bay. Many Rama have been displaced by armed farmers
who refuse to respect the titles.
Sustainable tourism is one way these communities are able to exercise ownership and derive
profits from their lands without destroying precious natural resources.
