Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Wetlands Not So Protected

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CARACAS, Feb 9 2009 (IPS) - Venezuela has reached the 38th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands with mixed results. Since the country ratified the Convention, in 1988, five of its wetlands were recognized as Ramsar sites, among the 34,053 on the global list of those that meet the standards for protection of biodiversity of fragile and vital wetland ecosystems.

But the negative side is that the five sites are in the marine-coastal area, which leaves aside important wetlands like those found on the central western plains, in the Andes or in other watersheds, expert María Eugenia Gil Beroes told Tierramérica.

Another problem is the lax oversight of the authorities in ensuring compliance with the laws protecting the 158 Venezuelan wetlands, which cover 4.3 percent of national territory, she said.