Summary.
The bill would declare Lago de Los Andes in the distrito de San Miguelito an Ecological and Cultural Sanctuary for Birdwatching and Biodiversity Protection. The designation seeks to conserve the lake’s biodiversity and surroundings, promote sustainable birdwatching, and establish provisions for protecting, restoring and managing its natural and cultural resources. The sanctuary’s objectives include protecting wild flora and fauna, including resident and migratory birds and aquatic species; supporting scientific research and environmental education concerning the aquatic ecosystem and its urban surroundings; promoting responsible ecotourism; and involving local communities in participatory management of the reserve.
The Ministry of Environment (Ministerio de Ambiente) would be the sanctuary’s lead authority. It would coordinate with the Municipality of San Miguelito (Municipio de San Miguelito), the Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá), the Urban and Household Sanitation Authority (Autoridad de Aseo Urbano y Domiciliario), the National Water Supply and Sewerage Institute (Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales), the Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Públicas), the community boards of the Omar Torrijos and Amelia Denis de Icaza corregimientos (districts), and duly registered local environmental organizations. For the lake’s conservation and ecotourism programs, the bill directs the Ministry of Environment to coordinate with those institutions, the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), the Bay Sanitation Program (Saneamiento de la Bahía) and others to provide continuing training and strengthen the organization of neighboring communities. That work is intended to secure their participation in planning, implementing and evaluating the programs.
Within the sanctuary, the bill would prohibit hunting, capturing or harassing birds or other wild fauna, collecting eggs, and trading in those animals. It would also prohibit discharging untreated wastewater and depositing solid waste, debris or pollutants in the lake or its buffer zones. Civil works or infrastructure that alter the natural habitat or water flow would require approval under the Management Plan and authorization from the Ministry of Environment. Industrial or commercial activities that threaten biodiversity, forest cover or water quality would likewise be prohibited, and the competent authority could identify further prohibited activities. The Ministry of Environment, together with the Tommy Guardia National Geographic Institute (Instituto Geográfico Nacional Tommy Guardia), would define the sanctuary’s exact perimeter using UTM coordinates in a period of less than 6 months.
The Ministry of Environment would sanction violations under Law 41 of 1998, General Environmental Law (Ley 41 de 1998, General de Ambiente), and other applicable rules. Administrative sanctions would include warnings, fines, suspension of activities and an obligation to repair environmental damage, without excluding civil or criminal liability. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would issue implementing regulations within no more than six (6) months after promulgation, when the proposed law would take effect. The bill concerns the named public bodies, neighboring communities, environmental organizations, and the ecotourism, construction, industrial and commercial sectors.
What it proposes.
- Designation and objectives of the ecological and cultural sanctuary.
- Institutional management and participation by neighboring communities.
- Protection of wildlife, habitat and water quality.
- Territorial delineation, prohibitions and sanctions.
Who it would affect.
- Public bodies responsible for managing the sanctuary.
- Neighboring communities and registered local environmental organizations.
- People and businesses conducting activities within the sanctuary.
Key points.
- Declares Lago de Los Andes an ecological and cultural sanctuary for birdwatching and biodiversity protection.Art. 1
- Sets objectives for conservation, research, environmental education, responsible ecotourism and community participation.Art. 2
- Makes the Ministry of Environment the lead authority and requires coordination with local authorities, public bodies and registered environmental organizations.Art. 3
- Provides for training and organizational support so neighboring communities can participate in conservation and ecotourism programs.Art. 4
- Prohibits harm to wildlife, polluting discharges and deposits, certain works without approval, and activities that threaten the ecosystem.Art. 5
- Requires the sanctuary’s perimeter to be defined using UTM coordinates in a period of less than 6 months.Art. 5
- Provides for administrative sanctions and repair of environmental damage, without excluding civil and criminal liability.Art. 6
- Assigns implementing regulations to the Executive Branch and provides for entry into force upon promulgation.Arts. 7-8