This page is designed to serve as a forum for presenting current issues facing Belize's environment, ecology, and tourism industry.  Feel free to email us your views on any of the issues below, or additional issues you feel should be included.  The webmaster reserves the right to condense your submission or reject poorly argued  pieces unfounded in fact.

CRUISE TOURISM IN BELIZE
The number of cruise ship arrivals to Belize is skyrocketing.
PROS: It brings some additional revenue to the country.
CONS: The damage and crowding caused by cruise tourists threatens to affect the environment and long-stay tourism.
BETA'S POSITION: Limit, monitor, and regulate the cruise ship industry.

DE-RESERVATION OF PAYNES CREEK NATIONAL PARK
Proposal to de-reserve part of the park for private use (associated with cruise ships)
PROS: ??
CONS: De-reserving protected land is contrary to Belize's attempts to be an eco-tourist destination. The park includes a wide variety of natural habitats that supports an incredible amount of biodiversity that might be damaged with de-reservation and development.
BETA'S POSITION: The land should NOT be de-reserved. 

OUTCOME: Approx. 2,000 acres was dereserved for cruiseship tourism development and expansion of Punta Negra; at the same time approximately 12,000 acres was added to the park, for a net gain of some 10,000 acres.

CHALILLO DAM PROPOSAL
Proposal to build a dam to create a larger reservoir for the hydro-plant.
PROS: Increased hydro-electric output for Belize; less dependence on Mexico for power.
CONS: Major reshaping of ecology of upper Macal River, including destruction of nesting habitat of scarlet macaws; project inadequately cost-justified.
BETA'S POSITION: The project does not financially benefit Belizeans and is not worth the environmental disturbance it will cause.

For the most comprehensive overview of the Chalillo Dam project, please go to
http://www.stopfortis.com

OUTCOME: Dam construction is proceeding.