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September 08, 2008 |
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| A Sad Weekend On The Osa Peninsula |
 Nobody is singing today. Not the almond trees, coconut palms, Cecropria trees, fruit trees, indigenous grasses, scarlet macaws, white hawks, parrots or baby sea turtles, a sad weekend at Playa Preciosa ! A few days ago the Golfito Municipality arrived onto the nicest beach on the Osa Peninsula just before the weekend and started tearing out and knocking down most of the trees on Playa Preciosa near Puerto Jimenez, complete with armed guards and automatic weapons loaded to control the crowds. However the crowds never showed up as few were given notice of the government’s plans or intentions. The Government decided to build a new 14 meter wide road on the beach at Playa Preciosa which is also Puerto Jimenez’s community and official public beach. Normally such an endeavor would require approval at various levels of government, environmental evaluation, community comment, surveying, engineering and recorded plans. But not this time. Many local residents are stunned at the scope and level of destruction. Local residents are fearful about what else the Municipality has in store for the area. Has foreign policy and unsustainable developments from finally arrived on the Osa Peninsula? |
The Tortoise and The Hare |
 Ironically, the same morning 60 baby turtles hatched in front of the bulldozers threatening to destroy the nests and halt the plowing right through the turtle hatchery - supported by Toby and Lauren Cleaver of the Iguana Lodge. Photos and observations courtesy of www.iguanalodge.com The government has made it abundantly clear that they are not only going to construct a highway but also destroy, or euphemistically “clean”, the beach of the grassland and vegetation. This flora not only physically supports the beach from erosion but is a significant habitat to the birds, animals and reptiles that make up the world renowned biodiversity of the area. Workers, government employees and police officers in full camo armed with machine guns, backhoe operators, and municipal workers, could watch the wonders of nature, as the palm sized baby turtles entered the sea. No one knows what effect this demolition will have on these turtles and their future nesting. This hatchling did educate everyone on how fragile and precious Costa Rican beaches are and seemed to bring a smile to even the most hardened of faces carrying automatic weapons here at Playa Preciosa. The baby turtles remind us to preserve the natural resources of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, the damage is already done. The tractors and government crews are coming back tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. But will the turtles be back and will the hare win the race? For ways to show support and help with regeneration and replanting the beach at Playa Preciosa, contact Lauren Cleaver at
www.iguanalodge.com
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Between La Palma and Puerto Jimenez |
 I am awakened each evening by the sounds of large trucks and equipment dredging the Rio Agujas and Tigre, the sounds or rock and gravel being scooped out, millions of cubic tons of sand and gravel to feed each of the 20-30 construction sites being worked right now on the eastern side of the Osa Peninsula.
From La Palma to Puerto Jimenez, day and night, the sounds of a 100 brand new dump trucks, back hoes, and tractors startle me. Around every turn on the main road is a new construction site, with a new crew and large heavy equipment sculpting a new 2-4 lane highway into Puerto Jimenez. For those of us that live on the East side of the Osa near the reserve, this construction zone surprise is an everyday occurrence, even the side roads leading into Corcovado have been improved, providing year round access to Corcovado’s natural resources…why? Each week I go to town, I am shocked at the amount of brand new equipment arriving to the Osa. Not to mention the cost of food. Four to five new bridge projects started just last month. Hundreds if not thousands of road crew workers all seem to be in a hurry to get the road done quickly, scurrying away like leaf cutter ants before the rains come. The crews are even working at night with lights in some areas. It's sad to watch it all unfold.
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What’s the hurry I say, What’s the hurry ? |
 Could it actually be that the Osa is slated as another Los Suenos or Jaco development site? Could it be that the new beach zoning plan and the new road are all connected to the same itinerary ? Whose itenerary ? Could it be that the crews and ugliness from Uvita will be heading down here shortly with their banks, strip malls, SUV’s, golf courses and gas stations.
Or how about a commercial sized dredging ship spotted off the coast of Canyaza in August working away at night with lights. What’s going on everybody? Most people come to the Osa to get away from all the concrete, condo’s and fast paced lifestyle of their home countries. We all come The Osa Peninsula to slow down, relax a bit, and learn about nature. Well it appears that those days are also numbered. Does anybody really know what is going to happen with our precious Osa Peninsula. Do the Costa Ricans know? I believe most of us are just guessing. And the government is not telling.
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RainforestAid09 In Costa Rica |
 CRTraveler Magazine Osa Peninsula Travel and Nature Air Present RAINFORESTAID09 Summer Solstice,2009 June 19-21st. Raising funds & awareness for rainforest protection & regeneration.
In 2009, we will host the first annual RainforestAid09 to help protect the Osa’s incredible biodiversity and safeguard the air we and our children breath. With your help, we can raise awareness, increase the standard of living for local Costa Ricans, slow down unsustainable development and fund existing conservation and educational programs. Join RainforestAid 09 and help stop habitat & cultural loss in “The Reserve.“ We are currently inviting musicians, entertainers, artists, event organizers, team leaders, guest speakers, bilingual volunteers, hotel owners, concert promoters, and media partners (internet, print, TV, radio, etc.) to join our efforts. Our children’s right to breath is at risk. RainforestAid09 will raise $2 million for existing conservation needs.
100% of the profits from The Festival will benefit these important local conservation initiatives:
Programs in support of eliminating illegal logging and deforestation
Osa Landfill, waste and recycling center
Corcovado Park and Sirena station building improvements
Funding for Minae park guards and pilots
Funds for rural public education
Funding for improvements of existing public water systems in rural areas within The Reserve
Puerto Jimenez water treatment facility study
Resources for computer education for La Palma and Puerto Jimenez Public High School
Basic medical supplies for local hospital.
Sustainable grocery and merchandise bag program
Friends of The Osa
Women of The Osa
Silvestre Wildlife Refuge
White Hawk Conservation efforts in Carate
The Winning Solution Is RainforestAid09 as Everybody Wins ! From jaguars, turtles, sloths, and mono titis to rural Costa Rican communities and area businesses, including hotels, taxi drivers, rental car companies, local tour operators, buses, airlines, and more. There is one key ingredient needed to pull off this festival…your input and support! With your help, RainforestAid09 can be as successful and beneficial as FarmAid was 20+ years ago. In previous years, rainforest aid concerts with Sting, Elton John, Bruce Springstein, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel, James Taylor, John Mayer and Norah Jones have raised millions of dollars for conservation. But these festivals have always been held in places like Carnegie Hall and Central Park, where the message can get lost in the glitz, champagne and concrete. The message only gets clearer when held here in the rainforest.
If you are part of a regional conservation group and are interested in becoming a Festival09 Partner? We encourage you to participate as one of our partners. Learn more about our fundraising objectives, cross-cultural homestay programs, festival dates, location, ticket prices, transportation, accommodations, camping, parking, green zone and partnership opportunities. Contact Us
info@osapeninsulatravel.com or visit
www.southerncostaricamaps.com/rainforestaid_fundraising.php
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Celebrate The Rainforest in The Rainforest |
We plan to celebrate and help protect the rainforest in the rainforest. June 2009. It’s time for all of us to get back in touch with nature in nature! and say a prayer for the people living on Playa Preciosa and for all of the other beaches we love s
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