Forests sustain and protect us in a myriad of ways. They absorb carbon dioxide and provide us with oxygen, they harbour more than three quarters of terrestrial biodiversity, and they support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. But the world has lost 420 million hectares of forest since 1990. …
Costa Rica seems to be getting serious about safeguarding its vast environmental wealth. The country is banning open pit mining. A decree forbidding such mining was signed by the Costa Rican President, Abel Pacheco. He said that the verdict was aimed at protecting Costa Rica's rich environmental resources. "This is …
The Indian Biodiversity Bill has been cleared by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and is now before the house for approval. Not before time. Given that it has been over nine years since we signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (cbd) and that the bill has been drafted and redrafted it …
Illegal trade in wildlife is threatening Costa Rica's biodiversity. The most sought after species are the limpets, parrots, jaguar cubs, toucans, squirrel monkeys and tropical fish. "We don't have the resources to control the illegal trade,' said Juan Rodriguez, a biologist with the country's ministry of environment and energy. According …
A company's intention to drill for oil near Costa Rica's Caribbean coast has caused concern among the environmentalists. They allege that the activities of Houston-based Harken Energy would destroy the area that is a crucial nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. "Harken is misleading Costa Ricans about the financial benefits …
At least 11,000 Costa Rican homes will soon have access to electricity, thanks to a solar energy project. Solarica, a Dutch company, is investing us $11.5 million to provide solar energy to people living along the country's rainforests. At a monthly cost of about us $10, a household will have …
Solarica, a privately owned Dutch company, is investing US $11.5 million to bring solar energy to 11,000 families whose houses are scattered alongside the dense foliage of Costa Rica's rainforests. At a monthly cost of about US $10, a family will have access to 50 watts of electricity per day …
Japan will give a loan of us $138.45 million to Costa Rica to build a hydroelectric power plant. The foreign ministers of both the countries recently signed an agreement to this effect. The 25-year loan with an annual interest rate of 2.2 per cent will be used for constructing a …
Environmentalists have raised strong objections about the Costa Rican government's proposed national forestry plan, which they allege favours the logging industry. The country's environment ministry had recently released the
At least 35 beach towns in Costa Rica have got the Bandera Azul award for their compliance with national environmental standards. The award, which comprises a blue flag, is presented on the basis of an assessment done during the annual evaluation programme of the government. The programme, evolved five years …
A hybrid vehicle has been introduced for the first time in Central America by Toyota Purdy Motor, an automobile company. The car, Toyota Prius, is powered by two engines, one electrical and one conventional. The car is the latest attempt by the Japanese auto industry to solve some of the …
For the first time, a list of endangered flora and fauna species is being prepared by Costa Rica. World Conservation Union's (iucn) representatives, along with 70 scientists studying animal and plant life in Costa Rica, will compile the list. They have used iucn criteria to review more than 400 species. …
Some 20 experts in river-basin management, sustainable development and other environmental fields from North America met Costa Rican leaders who deal with these problems on a local, regional and national level at a recent workshop organised by the Organization of Tropical Studies ( otc ) in Guanacaste. Entitled "Flood Protection …
The Caribbean National Park of Tortuguero is gearing up yet again as the nesting season of the endangered green sea turtles has just kicked off. Already 13 poachers have been detained and more than 600 stolen turtle eggs and five adult carcasses have been confiscated. Tortuguero's 34 km of uninterrupted …
Keen to fight the bad press they're getting in Europe for alleged environmental and labour abuses, Costa Rican banana-growers recently convinced world industry representatives to push the United Nations for a comparative study of plantation conditions in all banana-exporting countries. They're confident that Costa Rica will score high in the …
