|
|
|
| |
| |
Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
April 9, 2008
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| March 20, 2008 |
The Struggle for Environmental Conservation in Chilean Patagonia |
|
| |
 |
The glassy waters of the Strait of Magellan were a welcome respite from the rough Drake Passage for participants as the ship sailed toward the port of Punta Arenas, Chile |
Home to the world’s southernmost permanent human settlements, a myriad of endemic species of flora and fauna, and breathtaking geographical features, Patagonia is a world treasure of both natural and cultural significance. While sailing through the many awe-inspiring fjords and islands of Chilean Patagonia, 60th voyage participants learned about local environmental conservation efforts from Bernardo Zentilli, the president of the National Committee for the Defense of Flora and Fauna, (CODEFF). Though nineteen percent of Chile has been designated as a national park, reserve or monument to protect Chile’s wilderness, Mr Zentilli warned that even areas under some legislative protection are at risk of environmental damage. CODEFF, one of Chile’s oldest environmental organizations, “aims to preserve nature and the environment as well as to promote sustainable development,” by working to enforce and establish legislation to ensure the wise management of Chile’s wilderness areas and natural resources. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
Mr Zentilli advocated the preservation of Patagonia, a region whose rivers, lakes, ice fields and rainfall act as a major fresh water resource |
Peace Boat and CODEFF have worked together in the past, primarily in the drive to register Patagonia as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite Patagonia’s natural and cultural importance, the region’s diverse wildlife and other biological and geographical features remain threatened by development and resource exploitation. Though Patagonia fulfills the criteria for both UNESCO natural and cultural world heritage sites, the process has been slow despite appeals from the Chilean government and numerous environmental organizations, raising the question of interference by private developers and investors. Mr Zentilli stressed the importance of protecting the area’s biodiversity, geology, cultural and social features, and spoke hopefully, saying that thanks to international support he believes Patagonia may be registered as a UNESCO site by the end of this year. |
| |
 |
| The rugged mountain climate of the Tierra del Fuego provides habitat for diverse species of endemic wildlife |
In addition to the drive to make Patagonia a UNESCO site, CODEFF works to secure protection for areas of natural significance throughout the whole of Chile. In 1974, CODEFF secured legal protection for the Alerce tree, an endangered tree that can live for up to 3,500 years. CODEFF is also fighting the drive by an electrical company to build a series of hydroelectric dams in the Aysen watershed based on rights the company acquired during the Pinochet regime. Known for its unspoiled ecology and diverse flora and fauna, the scarcely populated Aysen region’s poor infrastructure and communication system make it an easy target for development projects. |
| |
 |
| Mr Zentilli and his team of Communication Coordinators, volunteer staff working as onboard interpreters and translators |
This hydroelectric project would do ecological damage to the Aysen region, but do virtually nothing to benefit its varied inhabitants. The proposed system involves transporting hydroelectric power approximately 2000 kilometers north from the Aysen watershed to Santiago via a high-tension transmission line, cutting across and disturbing a great number of national parks and protected areas. Access to this power would be available at the transmission line’s terminus in Santiago, but unavailable to the regions affected by the environmental damage created by building the transmission line. Mr Zentilli stressed the need for Chile to increase energy efficiency rather than energy production, warning that the construction of dams, diversion of rivers, and creation of artificial lakes would create unforeseeable environmental consequences. |
| |
 |
| A world treasure of incalculable value, the Patagonia region deserves full protection through the UNESCO World Heritage program |
To prevent ecologically harmful development like the proposed hydroelectric project in the Aysen watershed, Mr Zentilli emphasized the importance of securing World Heritage status through UNESCO for the Patagonia region. To this end, Peace Boat organized onboard fundraising for the effort, and nearly 300 participants signed a supporting petition. When the ship called to Valparaiso, Peace Boat and CODEFF held a joint press conference to promote the preservation of Chile’s remaining wilderness areas, in the hope that international support will help to mobilize the Chilean people and government to make steps toward preserving Chile’s areas of threatened natural beauty. CODEFF intends to continue supporting local groups that work to address environmental issues like the destruction of urban wetland areas, the protection of the forests and mountains surrounding Santiago, and air pollution in Chile’s metropolitan areas.
To learn more about CODEFF (Committee of the Defense of Flora and Fauna), please visit: www.codeff.cl |
| |
|
|
|
