Environmental problems in Nicaragua

Will it be only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned
and the last fish has been caught that we will realized we cannot eat money?
Natural disasters are provoked by human’s mismanagement of nature and we as
Nicaraguan are causing this problem in our country. Nicaragua has an
environmental crisis. In Nicaragua, in recent history, between 2011 and 2016,
there was a reduction of forest coverage for more than 36,000 hectares. In addition
to the loss of forest, Nicaragua has experienced a drying process, loss of water, in
its main surface water bodies like the great lakes Cocibolca and Xolotlan, and
rivers such as Rio Coco, Grande de Matagalpa and San Juan. The three main
areas of environmental problems in Nicaragua are poaching, pollution and water
issues.
First, in Nicaragua poaching has created an environmental destabilization.
Activities like logging lead to degradation followed by deforestation. Studies show
that Nicaragua is covered by forest in nearly 40% which is about more than a
quarter of its territory. Also, the annual rate of deforestation in the country was
about 1.5 % between 1990 and 2015 (FAO, 2015). These place Nicaragua’s fauna
in risk and danger also. Studies has shown that is growing up in great steps. Many
animal’s species are disappearing fast due to poaching such as Jaguars, exotics
birds, and mammals. Acording to Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
(MARENA), also, international trade of these exotic species places them in danger
of disappearing from Nicaragua’s fauna. Reports show that 23 species are high
risk of disappearing in Nicaragua.
Jim O’Connell, a Natural resource ecologist, said that continuing with illegal
exploitation which is simply the act of using resources for personal lucrative benefit
will place Nicaragua’s natural resources in more risk and danger. In Nicaragua, in
rural areas, deforestation is one fo the most notorious affectation which is followed
by the water contamination, the encroachment of protected areas, damage to
mangrove, the advance of the agricultural frontier such as seas, and fishing with
bombs, an illegal practice while, in the cities, the problems are proliferation of
garbage with its damages to the environment.
Secondly, land pollution is another cause of environmental problem that is
affecting Nicaragua which is causing problems to the ecosystems. One of the
pollution problems is garbage production and dispensing. According to Red de
Emprendedores Nicaraguenses del Reciclaje (REDNICA), Garbage, though
unseen, has caused a real impact on Nicaragua’s environment. These is due to
people that do not dispose garbage properly. Just in Managua, for example, people
are producing 1,600 tons of toxic waste but only 7 % is recycled and dispensed
properly. However, the rest remains in treatment plants, channels present in the
city made to drain water from rain, and on the streets. Every people must be aware
about this problem.
Earthquakes also cause environmental problems. Earthquakes are
sometimes so severed and devastating that impact environment greatly.
Earthquakes results from shock waves generated by movements of rocks. They
are becoming more frequent and severe with climate and global warming. It is
thought that the indiscriminate use of aerosols cause destruction of the ozone layer
which is a protecting layer for our planet Earth. In Nicaragua, many people, in their
homes, use aerosol sprays indiscriminately ignoring that it destroys the ozone
layer which produce warming on earth contributing to more earthquakes.
Nicaragua is a country surrounded by many volcanos which makes this country
more vulnerable to this problem. Another problem of global warming is hurricanes
which also are more frequent and more destructive. Besides, landslides due to
hurricane which involve the breakup and slides of rocks, mud, water, carrying
anything caught in the path makes Nicaragua more vulnerable to global warming.
Good roads construction and maintenance is very important since when not done
so and they are exposed to rain and water infiltration they end up yielding which
trigger landslides easily. Nonetheless, deforestation to create agricultural land or
to obtain firewood as a combustible material a common practice in Nicaragua
creates an environment that a few species of animal can survive.
Thirdly, factor of the environmental problem in Nicaragua is water issues.
that are devastating of other catastrophically events in Nicaragua such the draught.
According to an article in a website, BasicPlanet, an online publication, says that
in a period of time, land has decreased in water supply, which place some
communities in Nicaragua in a high risk specially in productive areas and during
production time due to that these areas are of high population, and in need of
highly water recharge. Besides this problem, the inorganic waste produced by
these activities cause additional problems. The mixture of inorganic waste and air,
soil, and water, cause contamination problems, which affect nature in an endless
cycle. For example, this is happening to Tiscapa lake where all the inorganic waste
of Managua is poured. Another example is the Managua’s lake.
As a conclusion, natural disasters are provoked by human’s
mismanagement of nature. Human behavior cause many of the environmental
problem in Nicaragua. It is important to understand that we, as Nicaraguans, are,
with our behavior and practice, causing many problems to our nature which are
the most valuable resources, our flora and fauna. If we do not stop this behavior,
we will not have a beautiful and peaceful place to live. Nicaraguans must stop the
cycle of destroying this country and its nature. The education and good behavior
start at home. Nicaraguans must love nature and be nature friendly to have a
better country and a better future for our family.