Venezuelan gov’t faces opposition in forest exploration plan

The government of Venezuela is receiving criticism from environmentalists, opposition party members and native leaders for its decision to open the Imataca Forest Preserve to mineral exploration.

The action is intended to generate greater revenue from natural resources and curb the widespread, unregulated practice of small-scale mining, which is said to be destroying the preserve.

The plan calls for a third of the preseve’s 3-Million-ha area to be opened to mining companies.

Protesters, many of whom have taken to marching in the streets of Caracas, are calling for the government to open the issue to debate, setting the stage for a lengthy battle over development of the eastern part of the country.

Mineral reserves at the preserve are valued at roughly US$150 billion, according to the government, though no systematic exploration has ever been conducted there.