A contentious public consultation unfolded in Red Bank Village regarding a proposed Scarlet Macaw sanctuary in the Maya Mountains, highlighting deep divisions between conservation efforts and community land rights. The government’s initiative to establish a protected feeding ground for hundreds of endangered Scarlet Macaws has sparked significant local opposition after suggestions emerged that some farmers might face relocation.
Local tour guide Basilio Mes emerged as a vocal advocate for the sanctuary, revealing that concerns began early last year when private individuals began surveying the macaw feeding hills. “Myself and several guides approached the village council,” Mes explained, “unaware that the Ministry of Sustainable Development had already initiated protection discussions for these critical habitats.”
The consultation revealed the complex balance between ecological preservation and community access. Mes emphasized that private ownership of the hills would severely impact local livelihoods: “The people of Redbank would lose access entirely once these lands go into private hands. We’re advocating for a sanctuary model that maintains sustainable access for guides, villagers, and farmers alike.”
Historical context provided by Mes illustrated dramatic population declines, from thousands of birds to mere hundreds, attributing this decrease to human encroachment into natural habitats. The proposed sanctuary represents both a conservation imperative and a socioeconomic challenge for residents whose livelihoods depend on access to these traditional lands.