By Richard Margoluis | vice-president
The big news from ASANA right now is that President Luis Guillermo Solis signed a decree banning all dam construction on the Savegre for the next 25 years! As you are no doubt aware from our earlier communications in which we described the importance of the Savegre Watershed and the threats it faces, mega-hydroelectric dams rank as the #1 threat to the biodiversity of the region and the livelihoods of many people who live along the river. For years, ASANA has been trying to find a “sustainable development” solution – one that truly meets the needs of local residents while conserving the natural riches of the zone for generations to come. Major dam construction along the river has already severely affected the Savegre’s unique biodiversity, and has significantly disrupted the social fabric, pitting community against community and offering false hope of an economic boon – in the form of jobs – that has never materialized. This decree lets us put this mega-infrastructure on pause for a while as Costa Rica analyzes all that the Savegre has to offer and gets its priorities straight. And ASANA is now smack dab in the middle of the conversation!
President Solis acknowledged the biological, social, and economic importance of the decree. He stressed the importnace of finding solutions tht respect both human populations and nature and acknowledged past mistakes Costa RIca has made in terms of major electricty infrastrucure. He seemed to be directing his comments to ASANA when he said: “Signing is the easy part. The hard part is the work that you have been doing for many years.” He went on to say: “When the people organize and demonstrate what they want in a respectful way, in a positive way,” the Solís administration will help them achieve their goals. And today we’re achieving one of those goals, which is to save the Pacuare River and the Savegre River for 25 years from hydroelectric dams.”
This is a hugely significant point in ASANA’s evolution as a major local, regional, and national player on the conservation field. Thank you so much for supporting us along the way and we look forward to your continued support in the future!
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