Guatemala City - Guatemala has a comprehensive legislative framework for the protection of the environment. There are approximately 3 thousand 500 regulations. It also has more than 200 ratified international treaties.
The vast majority of Guatemalans and the authorities are unaware of these laws. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, established the Task Force for the Enforcement of Environmental Law.
This body consists of eleven ministries, as well as the Office of Environment of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General's Office, Division CONAP and Nature Protection of the National Civil Police. The work of the Council will help improve the prevention of deterioration and misuse of natural resources. Because at present "the environmental conditions in which we live as Guatemalans shows evidence that the legislation is not complied with," said Alejandra Sobenes, Deputy Minister of Environment.
As the Task Force was formed, the first of several workshops where held. The workshops aim to train all entities that have some form of participation in the protection and care of the environment of the country. In the coming months two more workshops will be held.
This training presents the current laws, norms and regulations that apply in Guatemala, participants will be updated on the rights and obligations of the state, environmentalists and civil society in the field of environment.
Another very important aspect of these workshops will be the legal instruments of environment protection that will be made available with ongoing training in legal advice for government agencies, lawyers and notaries.
From 2002 to date, the government has failed to collect about Q3 million in fines. These fines were imposed on a number of companies that did not meet the requirement to conduct an environmental impact study. The Attorney General's Office has already started the efforts to implement these sanctions, Sobenes said.
Source: Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Photos Ignacio de Wit
