The spawning season of the leatherback turtles at Playa Grande has begun, significantly increasing the number of domestic and foreign visitors. The visits to the beach for the purpose of observing the spawning takes place at night, and are supervised by park rangers to ensure the safety of the species and their eggs.
The efforts made by environmentalists in the protection of nesting sites were further reinforced a few days ago with the resolution of a ruling by the Constitutional Court which requires the implementation of a series of demolitions after proving that the species avoid the coasts if there is a large number of buildings and lights.
A ruling by the 'IV Court' ordered the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) to remove constructions of private owners if they are located in 'Las Baulas' Marine Park. The vote calls on the Minister of Environment to accelerate the process of expropriation to expand the park, which is a refuge for the leatherback nesting.
The ruling also noted that the head of that portfolio Roberto Dobles, receive sanctions if it fails to comply with the ruling.
Several local residents presented the appeal with the support of the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defence, the justice Association for nature and the Center for Environmental Law and Environmental Resources.
Officials from the Environmental Court, in a visit to the region this week acknowledged the existence of several buildings in the park, and on Wednesday, three works were stopped. In addition, they found signs with the caption "For Sale" on 10 lots that are within the refuge area.
The state land on national parks should not be offered for sale, therefore the process of expropriation will follow and also being a national park the 'MINAE' would not grant permission for any construction made on that site, "stated the inspector of the Tribunal.
They will ask for the immediate demolition of houses built within the refuge. The Expropriations on 'Las Baulas Marine Park' has been a contentious issue for the past 10 years. Currently, Minae has the expropriation of 32 farms near the wildlife refuge. However, this process moves at a slow pace due to legal proceedings and the lack of agreement on payment of property from the owners, many of whom oppose the expropriation.
78 Leatherback turtles came to this refuge in the last spawning season (from October 2008 to March 2008).
In the previous season, 58 Leatherback turtles were present.
