Industrial park going up on protected mangrove site

The Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA) has called on the nation’s environmental Authority (ANAM) stop "immediately" the construction of an industrial park.

The South Zone Industrial Park is on a plot of 40 hectares of mangrove, in Juan Diaz, and is planning the deforestation of 11 hectares to build storage galleys.

According to Rodrigo Sanchez, president of the SPIA, Anam must open an investigation, as the promoters are committing "serious irregularities".
One of the companies owning the project is South Investment and Development, SA, of which the secretary is Henri Mizrachi, recently appointed to the board of the Panama Canal.
Rosabel Miró, director of the Panama Audubon Society, said that this case is similar to that of Juan Hombrón, Cocle, by allowing the sale of a protected area.
The Works and Buildings Department of the City of Panama and Anam opened proceedings against the project, but were unable to stop the work.
Both groups say they will not give permission to build on the protected area.