Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: To Jail for Littering

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

GUATEMALA CITY, Feb 21 2005 (IPS) - The municipal government of Quiché, a tourist destination in central Guatemala, will send anyone who dumps trash in the streets to prison for 10 to 60 days. Enforcement of this city law will be up to the municipal police.

City secretary Manuel Pérez told Tierramérica that Mayor Delfino Natareno ''will personally present the charges against anyone who litters before the municipal affairs court.''

''With so much garbage in the streets, it's disheartening to go for a walk. The poor state of our streets is embarrassing,'' he said.

Residents will have to pay one of the two garbage collection companies, which make their rounds three times a week, said the official.