Nature Air

The pre-eminent scholar in the world of turtles, Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard, has added his precious voice to the resounding chorus opposed to President Arias’ incredibly ill thought out plan of downgrading Parque Nacional las Baulas.

Dr. Pritchard has devoted his life to the study of these timeless creatures and nearly twenty years ago, he established the Chelonian Research Institute. His credentials are impeccable and his devotion unquestioned. His defence of Las Baulas is both heart wrenching and without compromise.

Countries and their natural resources are not the pawns of politicians, nor should they be cavalierly co-opted for financial gain. Costa Rica’s global reputation is based on the perception that it is different from its peers. It has set the bar very high as a country that others should be inspired to emulate. What is the message conveyed by this shining example of Peace With Nature, when it lazily capitulates to the challenge of preserving its natural heritage?

Please read Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard’s letter to Sra. Hannia Duran of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly. Share this with your friends and let your voice be heard.

Sra. Hannia Durán
Comisión Permanente de Ambiente
Asamblea Legislativa
San José, Costa Rica
Estimada señora Durán:

             I would like to add a brief commentary upon the current negotiations and proposals regarding the Parque Nacional las Baulas.  My point is very simple: National Parks are very difficult to establish.  They take time, money, education and involvement of local people, sustained dedication on the part of the proponents, and sustained vision on the part of agencies of government and elected officials.  They also mandate ecological research and investigation, land survey, economic projections, and much more.  Consequently, when all of this has come together and a National Park has been declared and established, there is an essential rule:

                          A NATIONAL PARK SHOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER 

                               BE DISSOLVED OR ITS STATUS LOWERED

             It can be physically extended, or the degree of protection it offers can be enhanced, and disturbed or damaged wetlands and other key ecosystems can be restored, but one should never take a backward step.  A national park should never be compromised.

          The whole process of setting aside some of the unique ecosystems of the world in perpetuity by application of the national park option will collapse if all of the coordinated work, by many parties, that initiates a national park turns out to be reversible.  The visionaries will just give up if that happens.  Human population growth, industrial growth, and land development are not bad things in themselves, but they quickly become bad things if they are allowed to bring about ruin or obliteration to natural areas that a previous generation promised to protect.  

    Believe me, the pressures on the surviving natural areas will become ever worse as populations increase; “temporary” national parks will collapse like a house of cards if vigilance is lowered even briefly.  We must be ready to defend the National Park System of Costa Rica against all such pressures.  Parque Las Baulas is for ever.  Our descendents will not forgive us for letting it go.

Peter C.H. Pritchard
Founder and Director
Chelonian Research Institute

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