Gran Carretera vs. Mesoamerican Biological Corridor

There may be plans in the works to build a road along Panama’s Atlantic coastline, but opponents wonder about the consequences on biological diversity.

The 143-mile coastal highway, denominated the Gran Carretera, would link the town of Miguel de la Borda in the province of Colon and Bocas del Toro’s Chiriqui Grande. At present, the only way to travel by road to Bocas del Toro is through the country along the Pan American Highway.

In 2008, Charles Ho, Director of the Ministry of Public Works’ Special Projects, estimated that the project would cost $350 million and would take three years to build.

Mario Miller, a Bocas del Toro deputy, said that the realization of this and other mega-projects will promote sustainable and integrated development that will define the present and future of Bocas del Toro.  He added that $150 million has already been allocated towards project implementation.

Meanwhile, Alida Spadafora, Director of the National Association for the Conservation of Nature, made it clear that she is not opposed to the government’s plans to develop the coastal highway project, but asks that the Ministry of Public Works carefully and comprehensively analyzes the project before moving forward, including impact studies on climate change.

She argues that the opening of this route will have a direct impact on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which runs from the Choco region in the Darien up to southern Mexico.  A road of this type could affect the different mangrove and forest ecosystem of this biological corridor, she says.

For Jorge Pinto, President of the Society of Engineers and Architects’ Bocas chapter, the unnecessary road project, regardless of its economic benefits, will directly and negatively affect a considerable area of flora and fauna once work begins and more so when it is operative.  He suggests fully rehabilitating the road Chiriqui-Bocas road instead.

And, then there are those who have not yet been consulted like the Ngöbe Bugle.  Rogelio Moreno, chief general in absentia, said that the road will impact towns like Kusapín, Kankintú, Chiriqui, Ensenada and Santa Catalina, home to thousands of their brethren.

“We have not heard anything about it and we want them to see if the government intends to undertake this project which will affect the region,” the chief general in absentia said.

La Prensa reports.