tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254679.post7857848048604643069..comments2023-09-03T00:36:01.266+12:00Comments on South America Bidsta: Alan Garcia's Dog in the MangerSimon Bidwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08669045345877026955noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254679.post-50177840452374829202008-04-29T22:39:00.000+12:002008-04-29T22:39:00.000+12:00Thanks for this, Byron, I hadn't seen it (I'm more...Thanks for this, Byron, I hadn't seen it (I'm more of a La Republica reader). Did you also ready my follow up post, at:<BR/>http://bidsta.blogspot.com/2007/11/of-dogs-and-demagogues_18.htmlSimon Bidwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08669045345877026955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254679.post-42149197331846770962008-04-29T02:11:00.000+12:002008-04-29T02:11:00.000+12:00EL Comerico, December 18, 2007 (Lima, Peru) [Trans...EL Comerico, December 18, 2007 (Lima, Peru) [Translation]<BR/><BR/>THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES TO DEVELOPMENT <BR/>The Dog in the Manger is not in the Amazon <BR/> <BR/>Yván Vásquez <BR/>President of the Regional Government of Loreto<BR/><BR/>The proposal of president Alan Garcia in his articles on the proverbial dog in the manger may have the good intention of generating wealth, but denotes a lack of understanding of the social and ecologic fabric of the Amazon, the keys to sustainable development --especially with a multicultural population. <BR/><BR/>It aims, rather, to impose a vertical vision. In this case, would there be more wealth if the social structure is maintained and the large beneficiaries remain foreign? Will the sale of forests or deforested areas really generate equal opportunities for all? Could, finally, the indigenous and mestizo communities, ancestral owners within our forests, develop themselves in a sustained and sustainable way in this context? I think not. <BR/><BR/>We think about this surprising interest of the Executive branch in the jungle. Finally they are remembering our existence! But we note that the intention to implement new models for managing the forest are not consistent with the policies of decentralization and even less with ecological and socioeconomic reality of the region. <BR/><BR/>The Amazon is more than trees converted into tables. It is a complex ecosystem, full of interrelationships that we are just beginning to understand. Its use in unsustainable ways will cause effects contrary to what is hoped, causing the depletion of natural capital and therefore greater misery. <BR/><BR/>The basic misunderstanding of environmental matters and a lack of understanding between Regions, Municipalities and the Central Government on the application of policies for the Amazon, can cause irreversible consequences, more serious than the terrible poverty that does not abate. <BR/><BR/>Is there a better vision? Yes, Mr. President. It is more inclusive, more ecosystematic, more sustainable, and even in the short term more profitable socially and economically. To begin, we must move away from the concept that forests can only provide wood, when it provides instead a wealth of potential goods. <BR/><BR/>For example, we have created two areas of Regional conservation at Tamshiyacu - Tahuayo and Ampiyacu-Apayacu to promote the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources that are the foundation of the local economy of indigenous and riverine communities, those whom Lima sees as the proverbial dog in the manger. <BR/><BR/>When these communities receive technical support and adequate financing, they can significantly improve their quality of life, producing goods and services for the national and international market. In Tahuayo, the family economy has improved up to 400% in the last year, thanks to their management only of the chambira palm fiber. They have much more than wood to sell. Let us not lose sight of the forest by looking at only<BR/>the trees, nor lose sight of the all Amazon residents by looking only at business for a few. <BR/><BR/>Early in the year we convinced President Garcia to transfer INRENA's authority to the Regions. But so far the Ministry of Agriculture has not completed this process. <BR/><BR/>Well-managed forests give us wood as well as extraordinary opportunities for tourism of many kinds: ecological, scientific, medical, recreational fishing, adventure, relaxation, and ethnic. <BR/><BR/>We are ready to discuss openly about our Amazon vision. To develop the Amazon, we must also understand it, observing it in all its splendor and complexity.byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15207882814785721991noreply@blogger.com