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After an inspection of the clandestine bridge built over the Parapetí River, the Minister of Public Works, Édgar Montaño, reported that damage to the environment and “breach of duties by the governor of Santa Cruz” was verified, Luis Fernando Camacho.
In this context, the government authority asked Camacho to sanction the officials who allowed the construction of this infrastructure, located in the municipality of Charagua, Santa Cruz.
“There is no transportation traffic study, no structural traffic design, no road safety, no bridge signage. So, on the issue of damage to the environment they have violated article 42 of Forestry Law 1700; they have violated the Environmental Law 1333 in its article 105; they have violated the Political Constitution of the State, articles 33, 34, 345 and 346,” Montaño said at a press conference.
You can also read: Mennonite Bridge: Montaño blames the Government of Santa Cruz for environmental damage
After identifying these irregularities in the construction of the bridge built by the Mennonites that is located near the Kaa Iya National Park, the minister asked the Santa Cruz governor to take action to “remedy the damage done to the environment.”
Although last week Montaño asked to legalize the bridge and suggested to the community members of Curirenda to denounce the Santa Cruz governor, this Monday afternoon he clarified that the construction was carried out under the management of Jeanine Añez, when Camacho was not yet governor.
“From La Paz we want to tell Mr. Camacho, take actions that contribute to remedying the damage done to the environment,” he urged.
He also warned that there is an embankment near the bridge access, which is causing a damming of the wetlands that circulate in the same direction.
“(This) is a Ramsar site and these sites have been approved in international treaties since 1971, so we ask you to carry out environmental mitigation actions and punish people who failed to comply with their duties,” he said.
The case
The case came to light after the Nómadas portal denounced the construction by the Mennonite community of a 200-meter bridge that crosses the Parapetí River and opens the way to the deforestation of a wooded area near the Bañados del Isoso, which are a Ramsar site.
Montaño specified that an infrastructure like this bridge is departmental responsibility. “The corresponding complaints will have to be made against the authorities that let this construction pass.”
