Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Saving Lake Yojoa

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Nov 1 2010 (IPS) - Environmental, community and government organizations are putting the final touches on a plan to save Lake Yojoa, the largest lake in Honduras — and on the verge of turning into a swamp. The Honduran Congress is studying a bill proposed by those groups to begin measures of rehabilitation and mitigation within a month.

The lake's watershed extends over 416 square kilometers, shared among the departments (provinces) of Comayagua, Cortés and Santa Bárbara.

This volcanic lake is a nature reserve that is threatened by logging and pollution, as well as an invasion of water lilies.

“The lilies are beautiful to look at,” Environment Minister Rigoberto Cuéllar told Tierramérica, but they are harmful to the lake ecosystem, which also suffers pollution, including toxic metals, fecal matter, and a proliferation of businesses lacking environmental regulation.