September 16, 2024, 9:38 PM
September 16, 2024, 9:38 PM
Researcher Gonzalo Colque, from the Tierra Foundation, has launched harsh criticism of the government’s plan to combat forest fires in Bolivia, He questioned the lack of precision and the effectiveness of the measures announced by the Executive Branch. against forest fires. The researcher also pointed out that the structural causes of the problem are being avoided, such as Law 741, which allows land clearing.
On Saturday, President Luis Arce Catacora presented a report on the fight against forest fires and announced financial incentives for producers who do not burn.
“We announce that eitherWe will provide financial incentives to producers and producers who do not burn and produce in an environmentally sustainable manner. Producing responsibly will have benefits in our country,” said the Head of State.
One of Colque’s main objections focuses on financial incentives for producers who do not use fire in their agricultural activities. The researcher questions the feasibility of implementing such a measure, indicating the lack of a clear mechanism to identify beneficiaries.
“It does not seem logical to announce a measure that is not directed at the affected areas or the productive sectors involved,” said Colque.
The researcher also expressed skepticism regarding the toughening of fines and sanctions. Although the amount of fines was raised weeks ago, Colque believes that this measure has not shown concrete results.
“Fines have always existed, but the results of its implementation are not known“I think these are promises to calm people down, rather than a solution to the problem,” he said.
Law 741 and structural causes
Colque was emphatic in highlighting that the government is ignoring the structural causes of the fires. According to the researcher, Law 741, which allows the clearing of up to 20 hectares in new communitiesis one of the main factors that aggravate the problem.
“Repealing Law 741 would not solve everything, but it would be a great political signal that the problem is being taken seriously,” he stressed.
One of the most controversial points is the state’s position on the responsibility of the business sector in the fires. While the government maintains that much of the fire affects areas controlled by businessmen, Colque considers this approach to be simplistic. and does not reflect reality.
The researcher said that the government is also part of the problem, since it has facilitated settlements on fiscal lands and has allowed large-scale clearing under the current legal framework.
“There is no single sector involved, all of them, to some extent, are involved in the expansion zones,” said Colque.
Colque urged the government to take a more impartial stance and apply the law equitably, regardless of who the actors involved are.
“It is premature to talk about a complete assessment of the fires, but what is clear is that the government is not being transparent and a more rigorous approach to address the magnitude of the problem“he concluded.
