Government directly responsible for forest fires | Gobierno directo responsable por los incendios forestales

By El Diario, Melvy Ruiz, Eju.tv:

Deputy María René Álvarez stated that the government’s action comes late, as friendly countries are already sending aid and advice to Bolivia. More than four million hectares of grasslands and forests have been burned in the eastern region, with Santa Cruz and Beni severely affected.

An impressive satellite image shows the fires that devastated 4 million hectares in Bolivia.

Over four million hectares of grasslands and forests have been burned in eastern Bolivia, and environmentalists and various sectors are holding the government directly responsible for the magnitude of the forest fires across the country. Additionally, Deputy María René Álvarez pointed out that the national emergency declaration came too late, as friendly countries were already sending help and advice on dealing with the fires.

Environmental law expert Óscar Villanueva López told EL DIARIO that, in legal terms, silence is complicity. “Unfortunately, the government issues statements claiming to protect the environment, but reality shows otherwise, as we’re already breathing smoke in La Paz,” he said.

He also stressed that there is no real environmental policy in place, as the government seems more focused on resolving internal issues within the Movement for Socialism (MAS), leaving citizens feeling “kidnapped” while neglecting critical issues like the economy, the environment, and resource protection.

EL DIARIO obtained the latest report from the Fundación Tierra, which indicates that over four million hectares have been burned in Bolivia. The most affected departments are Santa Cruz, with 2.6 million hectares, Beni with 1.3 million hectares, and La Paz with 18,990 hectares.

Deputy María René Álvarez criticized the government for waiting until the forest fire disaster got out of control. She also lamented that the issue was downplayed once again, with no proper prevention and contingency plans in place or timely international aid requests.

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