The world’s tropical forests are disappearing. According to a report from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Mayan jungle has lost 33% of its forest cover in 23 years, especially in Petén, Guatemala. The main cause is the livestock industry. The US agency obtained this data using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), one of the main Earth observation objects that has orbited the planet since 1999 and began carrying out the visual census a year later.
The Mayan jungle is the second largest tropical forest on the American continent. In 1990, the Mayan Biosphere Reserve was created in Guatemala, with an area of more than 21,000 square kilometers. After its formation, the inhabitants of the region were allowed to remain in certain places with the commitment to use the forest in a sustainable way, according to the report. Some people in these areas engaged in selective logging of mahogany, harvesting hibiscus flower, honey and gum resin, for example. These ventures classified as low impact provided considerable income to residents, which encouraged the care of the forest.
The biosphere reserve of the Tigre National Park, in Petén, deforested and converted into a common corridor for criminal organizations.Daniele Volpe (Getty Images)
The maps published by the agency show a significant contrast of colors. Without context, the western area of the reserve painted black deceives itself by being the ocean. This is due to the border line that is drawn around the western part in purple, which represents the first eight years since records have been kept, and yellow, which runs between 2016 and 2023. In this area is the Laguna del Tigre and the Sierra del Lacandona, northeast of Petén. NASA points out that it is the place with the fastest rates of forest loss in Latin America, despite having the strictest land use rules.
The environmental impact is attributed to the construction of roads for exploratory oil and gas drilling projects, in addition to logging and mining, and other unspecified illicit activities. But Diego Incer, a remote sensing expert cited in the report, assures that the livestock industry is the main factor in deforestation in Guatemala. “But this situation is dynamic. “We often see forests that were initially cleared for livestock later converted into oil palm plantations.”
The high demand for products containing palm oil causes manufacturers to cut down rainforest regions, without the intention of reforesting them. In 2019, the market demanded more than 74 million tons and an increase of 2.3% is expected by 2027, according to the American research and consulting company Grand View Research.
Left: March 27, 2000 | Right: February 11, 2024 NASA
Starting in 2009, Guatemalan conservation authorities began a plan to regain control of some forestry concessions. Specifically along the highway to Carmelita, a path of almost 85 kilometers from Lake Petén Itzá, the third largest in the country. In this section there were critical points of deforestation due to land invasion for reasons related to livestock farming, according to the report. Since 2024, authorities have expelled these operations from at least 137,000 hectares within the reserve. “In this way, the rate of forest loss has decreased in the last decade,” said Danger Gómez, head of Geographic Information Systems at the National Forest Institute (INAB) of Guatemala.
**Beyond governmental regulations, what role can international partnerships and consumer choices play in curbing the demand for products that drive deforestation in the Mayan jungle (e.g., palm oil)?**
## World Today News Interview: The Disappearing Mayan Jungle
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the alarming deforestation occurring in Guatemala’s Mayan jungle, a vital ecosystem crucial to the planet’s ecological balance. We are joined by two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. Elena Ramirez**, a renowned environmental scientist specializing in tropical rainforest conservation.
* **Mr. Carlos Garcia**, a Guatemalan community leader deeply involved in sustainable development initiatives within the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.
**Section 1: The Extent of the Crisis**
**(Addressing both guests)**
* **Dr. Ramirez, NASA’s report paints a bleak picture of deforestation within the Mayan jungle. Is the 33% loss over 23 years a typical rate for tropical forests globally? How does this specific region compare? **
* **Mr. Garcia, the Mayan Biosphere Reserve was established with the intention of balancing conservation with sustainable livelihoods. Given the current situation, do you believe this balance is achievable? Are there alternative economic models that could better protect the rainforest while supporting local communities?**
**Section 2: The Driving Forces Behind Deforestation**
**(Focusing Primarily on Dr. Ramirez)**
* **The report highlights the livestock industry as the primary driver of deforestation. Could you elaborate on the mechanisms underlying this connection? How does livestock farming contribute to rainforest destruction, and are there any sustainable practices that could mitigate these impacts?**
**(Addressing both guests)**
* **The article mentions oil and gas exploration, mining, and illegal activities as contributing factors. Could you discuss the complex interplay between these various pressures? How do they exacerbate the problem of deforestation?**
**Section 3: Examining Solutions and Hope for the Future**
**(Addressing Mr. Garcia)**
* **The Guatemalan authorities have implemented a plan to regain control of forestry concessions. From your perspective, how effective have these measures been? Are there any challenges or obstacles hindering their success?**
* **What role can local communities play in conservation efforts? Can traditional knowledge and practices contribute to finding lasting solutions?**
**(Addressing both guests)**
* **The global demand for palm oil is a significant driver of deforestation worldwide. What measures can be taken on a national and international scale to address this issue? Is there a possibility for consumers to make conscious choices that can contribute to rainforest protection?**
* **Looking ahead, what gives you hope for the future of the Mayan jungle? What crucial steps need to be taken immediately to reverse the trend of deforestation and ensure the long-term survival of this invaluable ecosystem?**
**Conclusion:**
We thank Dr. Ramirez and Mr. Garcia for sharing their insights on this critical issue. The fate of Guatemala’s Mayan jungle, a vital part of our planet’s biodiversity, hangs in the balance. It is our collective responsibility to work towards sustainable solutions that protect this precious ecosystem for generations to come.
