Cattle ranchers burn wetlands for use as pasture, endangering wildlife and fragile ecosystems and threatening the very existence of the Mosquitia.  (Photo by Edgardo Benitez.)

By MARIA FIALLOS

(Second of two parts) 

In recent times, the Mosquitia, which boasts one of the richest wetland systems in the Mesoamerican region, has suffered greatly from the inadequate use of its resources.  Lack of planning and overuse are quickly depleting nature's bounty.

The wetlands provide many benefits to local inhabitants: A wide variety of trees are available for construction purposes and firewood; fish, shrimp and birds live and nest in or on the edges of many of the lagoons; natural pastures exist that can graze a limited number of cattle; and in places like Brus Lagoon an abundant population of iguanas form an important part of the people's diets.

Unfortunately, these resources are being destroyed by contamination of the rivers and lagoons, overfishing, illegal logging, uncontrolled hunting, the destruction of wildlife habitats.  Also, the poverty suffered by local inhabitants is one of the biggest contributing factors to the destruction of biodiversity.  The different ethnic groups that live in the area are extremely isolated and most of the time have no power over government decisions concerning them, nor are they able to stop destruction caused by outsiders.

For these reasons, a group of concerned natives formed an NGO, the Committee for Integrated Development and Ecological Action (CIDCA), that at this time is proposing the international conservation of the area to help local inhabitants generate alternative means of income to prevent further deterioration and improve their quality of life.

According to CIDCA, the area meets the criterion for inclusion on the Ramsar List, which includes the preservation of unique wetland systems, biological diversity and fish and waterbirds native to wetlands.