San Matera Lawsuit
Things You Should Know About the San Miguel National Park
The Santa Miguel National Park in Uruguay is a spectacular place. The lush, wooded mountains are majestic and there is plenty of wildlife to see. In fact, it is said that Santa Miguel National Park is the best location for hiking, mountain climbing and biking. That is why so many people visit this amazing place year round.
But there is one big thing you need to consider before heading to Santa Miguel National Park. And that is the law. There is a huge law suit against the park due to damage done to a natural habitat. This suit is currently pending in a court in Santa Miguel. So make sure you are aware before heading out on your vacation or business trip to this part of Uruguay.
The suit is filed by the Center for Environmental Assessment and Critical Restoration.
It is against the government of Uruguay, which is partially responsible for the damage caused by construction. It says that because the government did not take measures to protect the habitat of the turtles, there is now a risk of extinction.
If you visit the park, you must also abide by its rules and regulations. One of which is that no camping is allowed. There are special areas where camping is allowed but not foraging for food or drinking water. If you are found doing either of those things, you can be arrested. The authorities can also revoke your passport.
The Center for Environmental Assessment and Critical Restoration filed the suit against the government, the director of Santa Miguel National Park and the provincial government.
The suit also names the U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay and intervenor, John Karras. Karras has been criticized for not taking an active role to stop the logging. Karras has denied that there is a connection.
A local independent newspaper, La Pobre, reported that environmental groups will hold a demonstration outside the Santa Miguel National Park in March. They plan to block trucks that are expected to go to the area to cut wood. It’s expected that the trucks will carry lumber from La Pobre to the park headquarters. The newspaper does not know if the wood will come from private landowners or the park itself. The suit claims that there has been inadequate consultation with local groups concerning the logging and damages.
This is not the first time a lawsuit has been launched over the killing of nesting turtles.
In January, an environmental group filed suit against the same company. The suit claimed that the company failed to consult turtle conservationists before carrying out the logging and has since caused irreparable damage. San Miguel National Park and the government are denying the suit’s claims.
turtle conservationists fear that without action, there will be nothing to save from the extinction of this species. Over the past century, only about 25 percent of the turtle population has survived. If the numbers start to dwindle, the remaining turtles will face starvation and disease. If the park officials do not act quickly to protect the turtles, it could become the first reserve in the world to close down.
The San Miguel National Park was created in 1966.
Since then, it has been one of the most visited parks in the country. The Park features some splendid beaches, natural hot springs and an array of other attractions. A unique feature is that even the turtles that have been removed for logging do not die in the area. Instead, they are relocated to a turtle rearing facility where they are cared for until release back into the wild.
The logging that takes place in the San Miguel National Park is the result of the rich forestation in the area. The rich, damp earth contains a variety of minerals and other nutrients that are the key to the longevity of the forest. Without these nutrients, trees cannot grow and prosper. The effects of logging on this natural habitat can be devastating.
According to the turtle’s lawsuit, the San Miguel National Park and the government have done little to safeguard the turtles in the past.
Neither has it done anything to prevent the excessive harvesting of the leather for leather goods. In fact, in the last twenty years, the quantity of leather that was taken from the Park’s leather turtle population was double what it had been previously. Even worse, none of the turtle eggs were being preserved. All of these things are considered illegal.
If you want to see these amazing reptiles in their natural habitat, you can head out to the San Miguel National Park. Or, you can take a hiking trip through the park. It is important that you become aware of your surroundings and the wildlife that may be watching you. Also, you should never go alone, no matter where you go. It is important to protect yourself and any other people that may be in the area.
