Searching for Good Governance in Punta Colonet, Baja California: Economic Development and Conservation of Nature
By:
Ricardo V. Santes-Álvarez (*)
ABSTRACT
For long, development initiatives have targeted the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, hindering environmental sustainability. Seemingly, national policy prioritizes economic growth and external interests over the care of natural resources and local interests but triggers obstacles to governance in the region. This work addresses the challenges imposed to environmental governance by economic development and natural resources conservation initiatives. It regards the proposed construction of the port of Punta Colonet, south of Ensenada, a region that is characterised mostly by fragile ecosystem, high physical and biological vulnerability. The Punta Colonet Port involves creation of ambitious supportive coverage (roads and communications networks, modification of land use, and urban development planning). However, the project lacks of commitment to comprehensive conservation of natural resources. Disregarding a vision of balance between economic development and natural resources conservation, the proposal will affect negatively not only Colonet but also the entire region, mainly to the north, in the vicinity with the United States. The described situation reveals an environmental institution that is powerless in its working compared to others in the public sector, and arises the issue of reconciling the goals of development and conservation aiming at improving governance. The achievement of such balance is hampered by deficiencies from both, the project and the environmental institution. In this scenario, the analysis of responsible administrative bodies and their linkage with local interests is key aspect to propose a better strategy for the governance of the Colonet region.
(*) This is an ongoing research. For further info, feel free to leave a comment.
Some interesting links:
http://www.sct.gob.mx/uploads/media/Colonet-English_02.pdf
http://www.protectpuntacolonet.org
http://www.colonet-mexico.com
http://www.colonetbaja.info
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