Belize Forest Department inaugurates rehabilitated facilities in Mountain Pine Ridge

The Forest Department under the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management held an inauguration ceremony on 19th July 2021 for key facilities in Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve renovated under the Selva Maya Natural Resources Protection Project.

Tuesday, 20th July 2021

Belize: The Forest Department under the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management held an inauguration ceremony on 19th July 2021 for key facilities in Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve renovated under the Selva Maya Natural Resources Protection Project. In a press statement, they stated that the facilities include the San Ignacio Forest Station, the Cooma Cairn Ranger Station, Pine Ridge ranger quarters and visitors’ restroom, and a storage facility at Forest Department headquarters in Belmopan. Also, Renovation works on the San Ignacio Forest Station included newly built walls, the installation of a new roof, electricity, and proper plumbing, among other works. The rehabilitated station will ensure that rangers are better equipped to execute sustainable management activities for improved protection of the biodiversity in these areas. A ranger station at Cooma Cairn was also rehabilitated and outfitted with the necessary amenities such as electricity, a solar heating system, mattresses, stove and tank, water reservoir and a restroom to make it habitable. The quarters were established to monitor and control encroachments in the Baldy Beacon Reserve, which has been affected by unregulated activities such as natural resources extraction, hunting and unauthorized land distribution. The ranger station also serves as an outpost for monitoring forest fires. The ranger quarters and visitors’ restroom at Pine Ridge also received renovation works. The storage facility at the Forest Department headquarters was expanded and received much-needed rehabilitation. The improved space will assist the department with storing and securing firefighting equipment and confiscated material and items used as evidence in court prosecution. Under the project, the Forest Department also saw the construction of the Savannah Forest Station in Stann Creek. The new station will allow the department to provide a more hospitable working environment for its staff and clients while offering a more secure and improved structure that can withstand the effects of extreme weather events. The total cost of all the renovations is BZ$366,300. The development project was implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature with financial support from the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW, a German state-owned investment and development bank.