Salud To Close Manuel
Antonio Park For Appalling Conditions
The Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio could be shut down the end of the
month unless the Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y
Telecomunicaciones (Minaet) corrects a number of deficiencies
signalled by the Área Rectora de Salud de Aguirre (local health
department), following a visit to the park last week.
The national park is only 7 kilometres from the town of Quepos and a
favourite tourist attraction.
Salud officials say they have found that sewage from the septic
tanks of the homes of the park rangers run directly into the ocean,
and waste water from the bathrooms used by visitors drain into a
park lagoon.
A analysis by the Laboratorio de Aguas de Acueductos y
Alcantarillados (water and sewer utility laboratory) reveals that
the lagoon water contain 46.000 coliforms per 100 millilitres of
water.
The Salud report indicates that the park bathrooms are in poor
condition, the water sinks leak and there is no maintenance work
been done.
The health officials say in their report that they have found junk
vehicles in some of the trails, becoming breeding grounds for the
Dengue mosquito and that the number of visitors in the park exceeds
the capacity for the staff for a proper care of the park and its
visitors.
The Cámara de Comercio Industria y Turismo de Aguirre (local chamber
of commerce and tourism) has asked the ministra de Salud, María
Luisa Ávila, time to remedy the problems encountered, The Cámara
says it needs time to implement an emergency and short and long term
plan for a solution.
Richard Limire, president of the Cámara, blames the situation
totally on the Minaet.
"The Minaet is 100% at fault for this situation and we have
documentation to back us up", said Lamire.
Minister Avila was emphatic that her officials will be visiting the
park again and with the support of the Tribunal Ambiental
(Environment tribunal) and the AyA.
"This is a little chicken laying golden eggs that could end up being
fried chicken if we are not stricter in the area", said minister
Avila. |
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