Tag:
Toledo District
Accidents & Disasters
Wildfires threatening Belize’s eco-tourism on the mainland
As of May 26th, wildfires have severely impacted several locations in Belize, including the Toledo District and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in the Cayo District. In Toledo, large tracts of agricultural land have been destroyed, while national parks and even communities have been affected in Cayo. Volunteers and officials from government and non-governmental agencies have been collectively battling the flames that displace wildlife, destroy habitats, and threaten the livelihood of thousands in the tourism industry in western Belize.
Community and Society
Farmers in Toledo District report huge losses after wildfires ravage the area
The current dry season combined with a heat wave is to blame for wildfires affecting several farmers in southern Belize. The uncontrollable flames have gutted entire farms, destroying acres of crops. Many of these farmers and their families are left without their primary source of income and need assistance to move forward in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Government
GOB explains draft Toledo Maya land tenure policy
The Government of Belize (GOB) has set the record straight about its proposed draft Toledo Maya customary land tenure policy, for which it is holding public consultations with all 41 Maya villages of the Toledo district with a review of the policy that is to become law by 2025.
Government
The Belize Maya Community rejects section of Maya Customary Land Tenure Policy draft
The Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Maya people of the Toledo District continue to be at odds over the draft Maya Customary Land Tenure Policy. Throughout January 2023, consultations have taken place within the district’s Maya villages to dialogue on the critical aspects of the policy, specifically Paragraph Five, which proposes only to recognize 0.75 to 1.8 mil.es from the center of the town as registered as Maya customary lands. The Ministry has emphasized that the Government of Belize (GOB) is not limiting communal lands to one kilometer but keeping the door open for input and mutual agreement by all interested parties.
Community and Society
Belize Territorial Volunteers denounces aggressive conduct from Guatemalan Armed Forces
For years, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) have spearheaded trips through the Sarstoon River to one of the country’s border markers in the southern Toledo District to commemorate the 1859 Boundary Treaty signed between Great Britain and Guatemala. In recent years, the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) in the area have reportedly enforced sovereignty on the river, making this annual patriotic trip challenging. On the 164th anniversary of the treaty, the BTV once again led an excursion, where the GAF confronted them as they went up the Sarstoon River.
Community and Society
MoECST Concludes Third Round of Consultations on New Competency-based Curriculum
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) is pleased to announce the conclusion of the third round of consultations held with education stakeholders on the implementation of the new national competency-based curriculum. The tour of consultations began with the Toledo District and consultations were held in each municipality.
Government
Engineers Conduct Site Survey on Sarstoon FOB
On July 29, 2022, the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, along with a team of engineers, visited the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Toledo District.
The visit follows reports concerning the integrity of the FOB due to erosion. During the visit, engineers conducted a site survey and collected data with a view to make recommendations for immediate and short-, medium- and long-term improvements. Once the engineers present their recommendations, the ministry intends on tabling before Cabinet for consideration.
Community and Society
Second Maya Women’s GPS Team Certified in Midway Village Inclusive community mapping is the only way to produce accurate maps
Fifteen Q'eqchi' Maya women received Certificates of Participation after completing five days of training in the use of the hand-held GPS and compass. The training was organized by SATIIM with funding from the European Union in a project to protect and promote the economic, social and cultural rights of Maya women in Belize.
