San José, Costa Rica – In a move that has shocked the nation’s environmental community, Costa Rica’s own conservation agency, SINAC, stands accused of illegally removing protection from a vital wetland in the Southern Caribbean. A joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) and the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) has concluded that SINAC improperly cut the protected area within the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge by an astounding 43%, leaving approximately 3,500 hectares of critical habitat vulnerable.
The controversy centers on a new “official map” published by SINAC in 2022. This map arbitrarily redrew the boundaries of the Térraba Sierpe National Wetland, effectively erasing a massive portion of land that had been legally protected for decades. According to the PGR, this action is illegal as SINAC does not have the legal authority to reduce the size of a protected area—a power reserved for the country’s legislature.
An Irreplaceable Ecosystem in the Crosshairs
The Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge is not just a line on a map; it is a vibrant mosaic of life and one of the most biodiverse regions in Costa Rica. The 43% of the area that has lost its protection is not empty land; it is a thriving ecosystem that is now directly threatened.
The specific species and habitats at risk include:
- West Indian Manatees: Gandoca-Manzanillo provides a critical sanctuary for one of the country’s most significant populations of this gentle and endangered marine mammal. Their feeding grounds and calm-water habitats are directly impacted.
- Nesting Sea Turtles: The beaches and surrounding waters are crucial nesting and foraging sites for three species of sea turtles: the giant Leatherback, the Hawksbill, and the Green Sea Turtle.
- Coral Reefs: The area contains the largest and most pristine coral reef on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, a fragile ecosystem that depends on the clean water filtered by the surrounding wetlands.
- Mangrove Forests and Lagoons: These unique coastal forests act as nurseries for countless fish species, provide a home for resident and migratory birds, and serve as a natural barrier protecting the coastline from storms and erosion.
A Dangerous Precedent for Conservation
Environmental groups and legal experts warn that this administrative decision sets an extremely dangerous precedent. If a conservation body can unilaterally decide to remove protection from a nationally recognized wetland, it could open the door for similar actions in other protected areas across the country that are facing pressure from real estate, agricultural, or tourism development.
This move directly undermines Costa Rica’s celebrated international reputation as a world leader in environmental protection and conservation. For decades, the country has built its “green brand” on the promise of safeguarding its natural treasures.
The findings from the Attorney General’s Office and the OIJ represent a critical first step in what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle to nullify the new map and restore the integrity of the Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge. The outcome of this case will have profound implications for the future of conservation in Costa Rica.
