May 2015 will be a key month for the Inter-oceanic Canal of Nicaragua project, as the Chinese HKND Group is expected to present by then the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the mega-project. Meanwhile, the initiative continues to divide Nicaraguans.
The principal representative of Environmental Resources Management (ERM), David Blaha, has told local media that the full environmental impact report of the Grand Canal would be ready in May, at the latest, but he also warned that it was subject to change. ERM is the company contracted by HKND for that purpose.
The project consists of a canal that would join the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea. It's length is projected to be 278 kilometres by 230 meters, 520 meters wide and 30 meters deep.
It includes a port in the Pacific, one in the Caribbean, an airport, an artificial lake, two locks, roads, a free trade area and a resort.
The environmental report is of the utmost importance to finance to determine the feasibility of the project, in which the Government of Nicaragua has focused its hopes to double the country's economic growth in the medium term. According to estimates from he Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN), the country's economic growth could range between 5% and 10%.
The Assistant Director General of the Public Relations Department of HKND Group, Bernard Li, said in an interview with The Economist that the studies carried out by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) show that the canal project is technically feasible. He also stressed that ERM is one of the leading and most reputable companies in the world on environmental issues.
Li stressed that the selected route to the Grand Canal, between six alternatives, minimized environmental and social impacts in the area. The waterway will cross 173 kilometres of Nicaragua's land and 105 kilometres of Lake Cocibolca.
However, he recognizes there would be changes in the environment due to the large scale of the project, but he said it wouldn't jeopardize the flora, fauna or cultural heritage of the country.
The public relations executive of HKND stated that they had held meetings with international organizations such as the Ramsar Convention, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fauna & Flora International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, regarding the potential environmental effects.
"We, and our national and international partners, are also taking into account the socio-economic conditions, the welfare of communities, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, physical environment and cultural heritage to avoid, minimize and offset the impact so that the net balance is eventually positive," he said.
Church calls for transparency
The Government of Nicaragua has also reiterated its commitment to the communities and the preservation of its ecosystems. However, some people remain sceptical.
In early March, the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, conformed by local bishops, issued a statement in which they formally expressed their concern with the project, demanding a national vision and the assurance that there would be no environmental risks and that things would be done honesty.
"If the megaproject, which will radically affect the relationship between humans and the natural environment of the country, wants to be a true work of progress for the common good of Nicaragua, then it should be carried out with a national vision, based on science and a sustainable development perspective," stated the Conference.
The bishops pointed out that the farmers and producers would be affected by the Grand Canal's route. People "are not certain that they will be paid a fair price for their land, they know they can be victims of forced displacement," they said.
On the other hand, the farmers continue to oppose the project. The deputy director of the Humboldt Center, Victor Campos said the expected environmental impacts outweigh by far the economic benefits that the Canal could bring to the country and Central America.
Meanwhile, Norwing Torres, director of the Foundation Friends of Rio San Juan (Fundar), said that the Grand Canal topic had been politicized.
According to Torres, the technical elements of the project indicate that it wouldn't affect the environment. "The deforestation rate is 12% per year. In places like Cerro Silva and Punta Gorda flora and fauna will disappear in eight years, but with the Canal project that will not happen because the work requires water and to have water there has to be forest," he said.
The project of the Grand Canal, as set by HKND contemplates protecting the water levels of Lake Nicaragua by creating the artificial lake Atlanta, which would be 394 square kilometres, to ensure the water supply needed by the mega-project.
Source: laprensagrafica.com