| DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C. ecological activism ACTIVITIES - 2010 |
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| Your tax deductible donation will help protect the endangered northernmost tropical rain forest in the Americas, and contribute to environmental awareness worldwide. |
| Six large sacks of new and used clothing donated by friends and relatives of DEMATAC associates is being given to local communities. Three bags were donated to the community of Pajapan, Municipality of Pajapan, Veracruz. The remaining three sacks will be given to residents of Punto Puntilla early in March. DEMATAC hopes to continue this project of collecting clothing, and perhaps other articles that can be of use to rural communities. More on this later. |
| Clothing Donated January, 2010 |
The failure of the invited organizers of this forum to attend demonstrates their lack of interest. In addition, in previous reunions,
these same "organizers" have arrived up to 45 minutes late. This is indicative of lack of interest of the very institutions that are
supposedly "concerned" about the conservation of natural resources. If this is their attitude, what may we expect from the
fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners, municipal government, and local residents?
NOTE: La Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas (RBLT) has changed the date of the next reunion for the organization of the forum
"Salvemos al Lago Catemaco" to April 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sala de Juntas RBLT, and the date of the forum to April 23 in the
Salón de Eventos del Hotel Las Brisas. We will publish more information as it becomes available. All interested parties are invited
to both the reunion and the forum.
these same "organizers" have arrived up to 45 minutes late. This is indicative of lack of interest of the very institutions that are
supposedly "concerned" about the conservation of natural resources. If this is their attitude, what may we expect from the
fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners, municipal government, and local residents?
NOTE: La Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas (RBLT) has changed the date of the next reunion for the organization of the forum
"Salvemos al Lago Catemaco" to April 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sala de Juntas RBLT, and the date of the forum to April 23 in the
Salón de Eventos del Hotel Las Brisas. We will publish more information as it becomes available. All interested parties are invited
to both the reunion and the forum.
| Reunion: Forum "Salvemos al Lago Catemaco" (Save Lake Catemaco) february 23, 2010 |
The forth reunion was held to organize the forum: “Salvemos al Lago Catemaco”,
which was initiated by DEMATAC after learning of the studies by the Universidad
Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco regarding contamination of Lake
Catemaco.
The reunion was only attended by DEMATAC representatives Lic. Jessica
Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago and Eduardo Alvarez Ríos, meeting with Ing.
Escobar, Director of the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas and his secretary.
The failure to attend of the other organisers made it necessary to postpone the
meeting until March 1st at the same time (5:00 p.m.) in the Sala de Juntas of the
Reserva.
which was initiated by DEMATAC after learning of the studies by the Universidad
Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco regarding contamination of Lake
Catemaco.
The reunion was only attended by DEMATAC representatives Lic. Jessica
Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago and Eduardo Alvarez Ríos, meeting with Ing.
Escobar, Director of the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas and his secretary.
The failure to attend of the other organisers made it necessary to postpone the
meeting until March 1st at the same time (5:00 p.m.) in the Sala de Juntas of the
Reserva.
| Reforestation in Dos Amates March 18, 2010 |
DEMATAC members helped plant 140 seedlings of mahogany and other trees on land bordering the river in Dos Amates, property of Biologist Salvador Rivera. This property, though private, may be used by the public for cultural and conservation purposes. |
| Reunion on Environment Issues at Hotel La Finca, Catemaco March 17, 2010 |
| DEMATAC attended a reunion in La Finca Hotel in Catemaco organized by the PAN candidate for governor of Veracruz (Yunes). The objective of the reunion was the proposal of environmental and conservation projects in Los Tuxtlas. |
| Inspection of Proposed Road - Ruiz Cortinez to Miguel Hidalgo March 3, 2010 |
| DEMATAC participated in a tour of inspection in La Reserva de la Biosfera- Los Tuxtlas, to determine the environmental impact of the construction by the Municipality of San Andrés Tuxtla, Ver. of a road connecting San Andr'es with the coast; involving the section from Ruíz Cortínes to Los Órganos, and including the communities La Perla de San Martín and Miguel Hidalgo. Because this section includes four kilometers through the nucleus zone of the Reserva, it was fundamental that personnel from CONANP and REBIOTUX inspect the area in order to grant approval. The following institutions, academics, and ONGs were invited to participate: • Commission Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) Ing. Raúl Álvarez Oseguera – Director de Impacto Ambiental en la Planicie Costera del Golfo de México • Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas (REBIOTUX), Ing. José Escobar Chontal – Director de la Reserva; Ing. Katya Andrade Escobar – Sub-directora de la Reserva and Sergio González Bustamante • Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA), Biól. Ma. Dolores Castillo Gallegos and Biól. Odette Isabel Cadena Morales • Sría. del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), Efraín Flores Centeno • Estación de Biología Tropical de los Tuxtlas UNAM (EBTLT) Biól. Rosemond Coates Lutes and Biól. Francisco José Gómez Marín • Ayuntamiento de San Andrés Tuxtla, Ing. José Miguel Oseguera Figueroa; Lic. Joaquín Ameca Gamboa Dir. de Desarrollo Económico y Turismo; Guillermo Pelayo T. Director de Fomento Agropecuario; Biól. Wilfrido Hernández Ramírez, Responsable Técnico • Defensores del Medio Ambiente de los Tuxtlas, A.C. (DEMATAC), L.E. Eduardo Fco. Álvarez Ríos In preparation for the road construction, those responsible marked the 15 trees that they determined must be removed. However, CONANP and REBIOTUX authorised that only two be cut. It was also determined that check points must be established in the Perla de San Martín section, at the intersection point between Lázaro Cárdenas and Miguel Hidalgo. |
| First Forum "Salvamos el Lago de Catemaco" (Save Lake Catemaco) April 23, 2010 SEMARNAT, CONAFOR, CONAPESCA, UNAM y La Reserva de la Biosfera – Los Tuxtlas, plus service oriented businesses, fishing associations, and the civil associations CEATUX and DEMATAC attended the first forum to deal with the problems facing Lake Catemaco. The forum was held in the Salón de Eventos at the Hotel La Brisas, from approximately 8:30 a. m. until 3:00 p. m. The problems facing Lake Catemaco were presented and discussed. The forum participants divided into six committees, each related to one of the six principal themes: Fishing Public Service and Infrastructure Urban and Touristic Activities Agricultural Activities Restoration and Conservation of Basins and Catchment Areas Public Water Use and Environmental Services The object of each committee is to explain the problems and the proposed solutions to be applied in the coming years to improve the condition of the lake. The next reunion is scheduled for 9:00 a. m. Thursday, June 5, 2010 in the Salón de Eventos, Hotel Las Brisas, with the objective of monitoring the activities determined in the first forum and to initiate the labors for the conservation and recuperation of Lake Catemaco. |
| Photos: Lic. Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago |
| Photos: Lic. Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago |
| Photos: Lic. Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago |
| Workshops “Environmental Law and the Importance of La Reserva de la Biosfera – Los Tuxtlas” May 30, 2010 DEMATAC held a workshop in the community of El Diamante, in the municipality of San Andrés Tuxtla, at the request of Miguel Ángel Acosta Landa. The workshop was attended by the local residents living within the protected area, and explained the importance of protecting this area, permitted activities, and activities that may be considered illegal. The workshop last one hour. At the beginning, there was a notable lack of interest, but as we proceeded, we were able to clarify many doubts of the participants ; and at meetings end, all agreed that it was worthwhile and a success. & April 30, 2010 This workshop was help in the community of Santa Rosa Cintepec in the municipality of Hueyapan de Ocampo, at the request of a local resident who prefers to remain anonymous. It covered basically the same subject matter as the workshop in El Diamante, and lasted about 80 minutes. All participants appeared very interested in the conservation of the natural resources existent on their lands, and requested that we present additional workshops in the future, covering related themes. They also asked that we request help for them from PROFEPA in the form of inspections and vigilance, with the hope of reducing illegal deforestation and hunting of wildlife. |
| Reunions Continue Regarding forum: “Salvemos el Lago de Catemaco” (Save Lake Catemaco) June 19, 2010 The theme of the most recent reunion was "Sustainable Tourism in Catemaco", and presented "Programa Agenda 21", which it is hoped will be of help in resolving the contamination problem in Lake Catemaco, provided that it is implemented adequately by Catemaco's municipal government. |
| Programa 21 is a United Nations (UN) program for the promotion of sustainable growth in areas related to environmental and ecological concern. It is a detailed plan of procedures that must be undertaken on international, national, and local levels by UN entities, by governments of member states, and by individual groups in all areas where human impact affects the environment. La Secretaría de Turismo (Mexican Secretary of Tourism) heads Programa Agenda 21 for Mexican tourism, proposing that it be considered fundamental in its work; along with the three levels of government, the tourist industry, education, NGOs and the general public; to improve the growth and conditions of life in tourist related areas In its role as promoter and coordinator of federal aid for the application of Agenda 21, the federal government, through the Secretaría de Turismo, published a document outlining guidelines for action to guarantee sustainable growth of tourism in our country. 200 were invited to this reunion, held in the Hotel Las Brisas in Catemaco; including fishermen, hotel owners and operators, restaurateurs, businessmen and motor launch owners and operators from the municipality of Catemaco. Unfortunately, only 20 individuals attended - 10%. The majority of the attendees were hotel owners and operators, NGO representatives (DEMATAC), and a few businessmen. On June 26, 2010 at 5:00 p. m. another reunion will be held for the purpose of advancing the work related to Lake Catemaco, and to solicit the support of local political candidates, with the goal that those who are elected will apply the program Agenda 21. |
Dear Jessica,
I have fantastic news: the International Whaling Commission (IWC) announced yesterday that it is delaying action on a deal that would
have legalized commercial whaling for the first time in a generation.
The IWC’s decision is a huge victory for whales -- and for activists like you -- against very long odds. And it was made possible by more
than 100,000 NRDC Members and BioGems Defenders like you who helped ignite a worldwide outcry against this potentially disastrous
policy change.
Just weeks ago, Pierce Brosnan kicked off NRDC’s public mobilization campaign by alerting you to this deadly deal and asking you to
make your voice heard in opposition. At that time, an end to the ban on whaling seemed virtually inevitable.
The deal had been negotiated for years in secret, closed-door meetings. The talks were spearheaded by key governments, including our
own, which believed that lifting the ban on whaling would rein in rogue whaling by Japan, Iceland and Norway.
But, in fact, the proposed deal was a capitulation to the whaling nations, conferring legitimacy on their slaughter of whales after they’d
defied international law for years.
The deal would have suspended the whaling ban for 10 years and opened up a designated whale sanctuary to commercial whaling. And
it would not have put binding measures in place to stop whaling nations from killing whales under legal loopholes like “scientific permits.”
Worst of all, the deal would have given moral cover to the notion that we can save whales by killing them -- instead of by banning their
slaughter.
Fortunately, a worldwide outcry helped halt this headlong rush to legalize the slaughter of whales for profit. It shone a spotlight on the
secret proceedings and put pressure on anti-whaling nations -- like the United States -- to toughen their stance in negotiating with the
whaling nations. That last-minute shift produced a whale-saving deadlock.
This fight is not yet over. The IWC has left the proposed deal open on its agenda, meaning that it could be revisited in the next two days.
More likely, the IWC will opt for a year-long “cooling-off period” and take up the issue again next year. We’ll be ready to mobilize again
whenever this proposed deal is put back on the table.
In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll be urging the IWC to focus its conservation efforts on emerging threats to marine mammals that
are growing with each passing day: from entanglement to ship strikes, from noise pollution to global warming.
In the meantime, I want to thank you for helping secure this important victory for whales -- and for making sure that the slaughter of
whales for profit will remain illegal.
Sincerely,
Peter Lehner
Executive Director
Natural Resources Defense Council
| Good News for Whales June 24, 2010 While DEMATAC is dedicated to recuperating the ecological balance and protecting the environment of Los Tuxtlas, we recognize that environmental problems do not exist only in "our backyard"; they exist throughout the world - and as individuals and organizations, we must be concerned about these issues everywhere. Just as countries and people have become more interdependent in our complex, modern world, so are ecosystems interdependent. We cannot ignore one, however small, without having a negative effect on the others - worldwide. DEMATAC supports NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) and our president is an active member. We want to share with you this good news: Email from NRDC, June 24, 2010: |
| YOU DID IT! |
| Work Reunion UMAFOR Los Tuxtlas 2010 Forestry Management Unit - Los Tuxtlas June 24, 2010 |
