Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Climate Change
Global warming is taking its toll in Nicaragua, too. Of the 18 original Pearl Keys, six have
been swallowed by rising sea levels. A few are visible seasonally, but they are no longer
the full islands they used to be. The smaller keys obviously remain at risk.
Nicaragua is also particularly at risk to both flooding and drought. The extended dry
period is often followed by heavy downpours. Flooding is made worse by deforestation in
catchment areas.
Erratic rains have severely effected small-scale farmers, many of whom have no access
to irrigation systems. However, a new water harvesting project in the north of the country
is dramatically increasing yields among farmers in that region.
Positive Developments
It's not all doom and gloom, though. Environmental consciousness is growing within Ni-
caragua and there have recently been a variety of victories, both on small and large scales.
The government has declared the environment a national priority and has made a meas-
urable commitment to fighting deforestation and other pressing environmental issues.
Each municipality now has a department devoted to natural resources and, in general,
respect for conservation laws has grown, while practices such as wildlife hunting and traf-
ficking are on the downturn.
The government has also mobilized the army to protect endangered sea turtles and cre-
ated a special ecological battalion to fight the illegal lumber trade.
Another positive sign is than Nicaraguans are also starting to organize on a community
level. Specific examples include the agreement between restaurant owners in San Juan del
Sur not to offer menu items made from turtle eggs, and the communities in the Cordillera
Volcanica who act as volunteer firefighters when wildfires threaten the endangered dry
tropical forest. There has also been a significant move toward growing organic coffee and
vegetables in the north of the country, with many farming cooperatives adopting
chemical-free methods.
More Information
For an overview of Nicaragua's protected areas, the issues they are facing and some of the
efforts being made to save them, start with the official Ministry of Natural Resources
