OPINION: Sacrificing the citys lungs

Hoyporhoy La Prensa, July 22

EL CAMINO DE CRUCES National Park (NCCP) is one of the most important protected areas of the country.

This, without forgetting that within its boundaries lie the remains of the colonial trade route that gives the park its name.

After the severe drought suffered in Panama in  recent years and acceptance that climate change is a certain threat to our common future, it is surprising that the government will now remove more land from the NPCC.

It is worth remembering that the same was done with the Metropolitan Natural Park in 1994 to allow it to be severed by the North corridor, favoring real estate interests.

And a few years ago, the NPCC suffered a seizure of 500 hectares which ended up being for the Hospital  city and Cold Chain. To fail to protect  a protected area, especially in an urban area, is a very delicate decision that  cannot be taken lightly, and what guided  the Ministry of Environment is a concern for all existing precedents

Can we trust that the state will meet the best interests of the country? The end does not justify the means, especially if you have to sacrifice one of the lungs of the city of Panama.