Premature blooming in the Atacama desert damaged by irresponsible behavior

Posted on 12/07/2024

The flowering of the Atacama Desert is wonderful, but too many tourists risk damaging it by trampling on the flowers to take photos and videos to publish on social media

tourist tramples the flowers in the Atacama desert

@carabinerosenterreno/TikTok

In the Atacama Desert, a premature blooming event, a spectacular natural phenomenon, has once again been marred by irresponsible behavior. Recently, images of a woman trampling flowers while holding a phone went viral, causing widespread outrage across the country.

The woman, reprimanded by onlookers, responded arrogantly, stating she didn’t care about the damage caused. She failed to consider that she was not only crushing flowers but also destroying the plants’ potential reproductive efforts. This attitude sparked a wave of criticism on social media. Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of such behavior.

Many cases have been reported of people invading the desert on foot, in vehicles, and even in small aircraft, causing severe damage to the ecosystem. Despite awareness campaigns aimed at protecting these areas, such irresponsible actions continue to occur.

Importance of preserving this fragile ecosystem

The “Desert Bloom” phenomenon occurs in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, where rare climatic conditions allow sporadic rainfall to trigger the germination of various flowers. This natural event is extraordinarily beautiful and attracts numerous visitors each year. However, the delicacy of this ecosystem demands respectful and conscious behavior from everyone.

A new video, sent by listeners of Radio Nostálgica, shows another woman trampling flowers while using her cellphone. This video, recorded over the weekend, has caused further indignation and condemnation. Local authorities and environmentalists have called on the public to respect the desert’s flora, using only authorized pathways and avoiding environmental damage.

The destruction of the Atacama Desert’s flora not only compromises the natural beauty of the area but also has severe consequences for biodiversity. César Araya, the municipal director of the Environment, stated that those caught violating regulations could face fines ranging from 3 to 5 UTM (equivalent to approximately $240 to $400). However, these incidents have not been formally reported, despite experts warning about the significant damage they can cause.

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Source: NOSTALGICA CL

Severe threats to Peru’s indigenous communities from Mennonite deforestation

Rebecca Manzi

Posted on 12/07/2024

In Peru, Mennonites have deforested over 7,000 primary forests since 2017 with chemicals and heavy machinery: attempts to stop them are futile

amazonian regions declare emergency amid rampant deforestation

@bryljaev/123rf

In Peru’s Ucayali region, the indigenous Shipibo-Konibo community of Caimito is facing severe threats from deforestation and land usurpation by Mennonite settlers. Despite court orders to halt deforestation, Mennonite agricultural activities continue to devastate the area.

Court orders ineffective against ongoing deforestation

In December last year, the Transitory Preparatory Investigation Court for Environmental Crimes in Ucayali issued a precautionary measure to stop these practices. However, legal provisions seem ineffective against the ongoing agricultural expansion that affects the environment and the lifestyle of about 500 Caimito residents.

According to an investigation by journalist Ronald Suárez Maynas, the Mennonites have cleared over 17,000 acres of primary forests since 2017, using intensive agricultural practices unsuited to Amazonian ecosystems. The use of chemicals and heavy machinery is degrading the soil, leading to irreversible environmental damage.

Marc Dourojeanni, emeritus professor at the National Agrarian University, criticizes the authorities’ passivity in the face of these violations. Despite the short-term profits from soybean and rice cultivation, the Mennonites’ practices are unsustainable in the long run.

Another amazonian region severely affected

The Caimito community has responded by forming a Shipibo indigenous guard to protect their territory. In October 2023, this guard managed to stop attempts by the Mennonites to start new crops, removing machinery and structures under construction.

Despite these tensions, the community acknowledges some economic benefits from the Mennonite presence, which provides high-quality agricultural and dairy products at competitive prices. Ruth Vásquez Santos, from the annexed community of San Pedro in Masisea, highlights how the Mennonites offer affordable products, but Abner Ancón Rodríguez, head of the Caimito community, denounces the lack of reciprocity in trade, benefiting only one side.

The deforestation caused by the Mennonites poses a threat not only to Ucayali but also to Loreto, another severely affected Amazonian region. From 2022 to 2023, five Mennonite colonies in Peru have cleared over 6,000 acres.

The Organization of the Indigenous District of Masisea (ORDIM) has declared their territories in a state of emergency, seeking to protect themselves through collective security mechanisms and denouncing illegal logging, coca leaf cultivation, and resource exploitation by external companies, hoping for a breakthrough.

Source: Infobae