Development & Aid, Environment, Tierramerica - Ecobrief

Ecobreves – CHILE: Save the Native Trees!

SANTIAGO, Oct 16 2004 (IPS) - The Chilean environmental group Fiscalía del Medio Ambiente presented a case before the capital's Court of Appeals to overturn a decree from Agriculture Minister Jaime Campos that authorizes the logging of native tree species, which have been declared national monuments.

The decree, according to the activists, threatens autochthonous species like the 'alerce' (Fitzroya cupressoides), 'araucaria' or monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) and the 'belloto' (Beilschmiedia mierssi).

The group argues that the decree is illegal and unconstitutional and also violates the international Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Americas.

According to the decree, under exceptional circumstances the cutting or removal of the national monument species may be authorized when it is necessary for carrying out ''projects or activities of national or regional interest.''

The environmentalists' claim is backed by Chilean Forest Defenders, the National Ecological Action Network and Greenpeace