Rebecca Manzi 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
@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.
@carabinerosenterreno 🛑🚨🫂 Las flores del desierto no se pisan Esta mujer hizo caso omiso de todas las advertencias del guía y las personas que la acompañaban en al vieje y piso deliberadamente las flores del desierto florido. Universidad de Antofagasta sostuvo que “si nosotros rompemos una flor, no estamos rompiendo solamente una flor, sino que le estamos quitando el potencial reproductivo que tiene esa esfuerzo que hizo ese vegetal”. “El desierto florido es una respuesta del mundo vegetal viviente a las condiciones a nivel desierto (…) como es impredecible, lo único que privilegia el sistema viviente es la reproducción para poder perpetuarse en estos ambientes tan difíciles”, explicó.
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.
Source: NOSTALGICA CL
