Nueva asociaciĆ³n busca un desarrollo sostenible y participativo en Playa Grande
La AsociaciĆ³n de Desarrollo EspecĆfico ConservaciĆ³n del Medio Ambiente de Playa Grande quiere convertirse en referente del desarrollo sostenible, la investigaciĆ³n y la educaciĆ³n en conservaciĆ³n del ocĆ©ano, la flora y la fauna silvestre
Por Katiana Murillo
Hace tres dĆ©cadas, ambientalistas e investigadores lucharon por la creaciĆ³n del Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste (PNMBG), para proteger el sitio de anidaciĆ³n mĆ”s importante en el PacĆfico Oriental de la tortuga marina mĆ”s grande del mundo: la baula, regiĆ³n donde actualmente se encuentra en peligro de extinciĆ³n.
Sin embargo, pese a que la zona de playa fue protegida, su zona de amortiguamiento, al interior, quedĆ³ en una especie de limbo generando preguntas cĆ³mo quiĆ©n deberĆa estar a cargo de regularla y fiscalizarla. Ante esta situaciĆ³n, la comunidad de Playa Grande se ha levantado con un objetivo claro: impulsar un desarrollo econĆ³mico, social y cultural en armonĆa con el medio ambiente y su riqueza natural, con la participaciĆ³n activa de la gente local y organizaciones aledaƱas al parque.
Fue asĆ como el pasado 6 de junio fue constituida la AsociaciĆ³n de Desarrollo EspecĆfico ConservaciĆ³n del Medio Ambiente de Playa Grande, donde la sostenibilidad ambiental es solo una parte de un desarrollo que busca tambiĆ©n ser socialmente inclusivo y resiliente frente a desafĆos como el cambio climĆ”tico y el boom urbanĆstico, segĆŗn lo explica Christian DĆaz Chuquisengo, su presidente. Como ex-guardaparque del Ć”rea, DĆaz Chuquisengo no solo conoce bien cĆ³mo trabajar con el Estado, sino que su experiencia en direcciĆ³n de negocios, gestiĆ³n ambiental y manejo de Ć”reas protegidas buscar aportar a la asociaciĆ³n un enfoque visionario.
La asociaciĆ³n trabajarĆ” con organizaciones y entidades gubernamentales o de servicios pĆŗblicos, como la Municipalidad de Santa Cruz, el Ministerio de Obras PĆŗblicas y Transportes (MOPT), el Ministerio de Ambiente y EnergĆa (MINAE), CoopeGuanacaste y la ASADA (asociaciĆ³n comunal que brinda servicios de agua potable y alcantarillado sanitario) de Playa Grande, entre otras, y se establecerĆ”n sinergias con entidades vecinas como las asociaciones de desarrollo integral de Tamarindo y Matapalo. Asimismo, con la poblaciĆ³n local mediante actividades de educaciĆ³n ambiental y proyectos comunitarios, como huertas que favorezcan una sana alimentaciĆ³n y un centro de valorizaciĆ³n de material reciclable.
La asociaciĆ³n tiene su base en una Asamblea General integrada por 85 personas residentes de sectores como Salinas, JesĆŗs MarĆa, Salinitas, Palm Beach y Corona del Cabo, una junta directiva de siete personas, una administraciĆ³n con dos colaboradores, y una Brigada Azul, que es un ComitĆ© de Vigilancia de los Recursos Naturales, integrado por 62 personas.
Forman parte de la Junta Directiva: Christian DĆaz Chuquisengo, como Presidente; Ginnette Miranda SĆ”nchez, como Vicepresidente; Nadia Borysenko, como Secretaria; Nova Emerson en la TesorerĆa y como Vocales 1, 2 y 3: Istvan Barany, Yeri Delgado NarvĆ”ez y Marcela Granados BolaƱos. Gina VĆquez Murillo, por su parte, funge como Fiscal y como Suplentes 1, 2 y 3, estĆ”n: Jorge Cerdas, Francisco SĆ”nchez Coronado y Rodrigo Altmann OrtĆz.
Por medio del acercamiento con la comunidad gracias a la aplicaciĆ³n de un censo y encuesta de sostenibilidad, se espera conocer tanto las necesidades como las nuevas oportunidades de cooperaciĆ³n con otras organizaciones locales en la consecuciĆ³n de objetivos comunes. AdemĆ”s, se buscarĆ” mantener la sostenibilidad financiera y operativa de la AsociaciĆ³n mediante una oferta de servicios y productos dirigidos a residentes y visitantes, que potencie el talento local.
TambiĆ©n, con un equipo de personas capacitadas para la vigilancia de los recursos naturales se espera involucrar a la comunidad a travĆ©s del ComitĆ© de Bandera Azul EcolĆ³gica de Playa Grande y Playa Ventanas. El mismo tendrĆ” un trabajo de protecciĆ³n de Ć”reas protegidas y conservaciĆ³n de Ć”reas pĆŗblicas, ciencia ciudadana para la conectividad y el monitoreo biolĆ³gicos, prevenciĆ³n y control de incendios forestales y estrategias de reforestaciĆ³n.
New association seeks sustainable and participatory development in Playa Grande
The AsociaciĆ³n de Desarrollo EspecĆfico ConservaciĆ³n del Medio Ambiente de Playa Grande wants to become a reference for sustainable development, research and education in ocean, flora and wildlife conservation.
By Katiana Murillo
Three decades ago, environmentalists and researchers fought for the creation of Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park (PNMBG) to protect the most important nesting site in the Eastern Pacific of the world’s largest sea turtle: the leatherback, a region where it is currently in danger of extinction.
However, although the beach zone was protected, its buffer zone, inland, was left in a kind of limbo, raising questions as to who should be in charge of regulating and monitoring it. Faced with this situation, the Playa Grande community has risen up with a clear objective: to promote economic, social, and cultural development in harmony with the environment and its natural wealth, with the active participation of local people and organizations surrounding the park.
Thus, on June 6, the Playa Grande Environmental Conservation Specific Development Association was formed, where environmental sustainability is just one part of a development that also seeks to be socially inclusive and resilient in the face of challenges such as climate change and the urban boom, as explained by Christian DĆaz Chuquisengo, its president. As a former park ranger in the area, DĆaz Chuquisengo not only knows well how to work with the State, but his experience in business management, environmental management and management of protected areas seeks to bring a visionary approach to the association.
The association will work with governmental and public service organizations and entities, such as the Municipality of Santa Cruz, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), CoopeGuanacaste and the ASADA (community association that provides drinking water and sewage services) of Playa Grande, among others, and will establish synergies with neighboring entities such as the integral development associations of Tamarindo and Matapalo. They will also work with the local population through environmental education activities and community projects, such as vegetable gardens that promote healthy eating habits and a center for recycling recyclable materials.
The association is based on a General Assembly made up of 85 residents from sectors such as Salinas, JesĆŗs MarĆa, Salinitas, Palm Beach and Corona del Cabo, a seven-person board of directors, an administration with two collaborators, and a Blue Brigade, which is a Committee for the Vigilance of Natural Resources, made up of 62 people.
Members of the Board of Directors are: Christian DĆaz Chuquisengo, as President; Ginnette Miranda SĆ”nchez, as Vice President; Nadia Borysenko, as Secretary; Nova Emerson as Treasurer and as Members 1, 2 and 3: Istvan Barany, Yeri Delgado NarvĆ”ez and Marcela Granados BolaƱos. Gina VĆquez Murillo, on the other hand, serves as Prosecutor and as Alternates 1, 2 and 3, are: Jorge Cerdas, Francisco SĆ”nchez Coronado and Rodrigo Altmann OrtĆz.
By approaching the community through the application of a census and a sustainability survey, it is expected to learn both the needs and new opportunities for cooperation with other local organizations in achieving common goals. In addition, we will seek to maintain the financial and operational sustainability of the Association by offering services and products to residents and visitors, which will promote local talent.
Also, with a team of people trained to monitor natural resources, the company hopes to involve the community through the Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas Ecological Blue Flag Committee. This committee will work on the protection of protected areas and conservation of public areas, citizen science for biological connectivity and monitoring, forest fire prevention and control, and reforestation strategies.
