Tourism Stresses Belize Eco Heritage

World Heritage sites along the Caribbean coastline of Belize are under threat from encroaching tourism.
UNESCO officials visited the country’s coveted world heritage sites – including mangrove swamps and the world’s second largest offshore barrier reef earlier in the year to report on rumoured mismanagement.
The UNESCO report is due to be debated when the World Heritage Committee meets in Spain on June 22, with the expected result that the sites are immediately put on the World Heritage in Danger list.

Belize prides itself as a country that promotes eco-tourism and eco-property investment along the coast as well as the interior tropical forests that are home to many protect species of animal, like the jaguar, insects and plants.UNESCO claims the Belize government has “no clear recognition and understanding of the management implications for a world heritage property.”

This criticism is supported by revelations the government has allowed 79 grants and 58 leases in a protected marine reserve, allowed cutting of mangrove swamps and even building inside some areas of natural reserves.

Belize real estate is available through UK-based international property consultants Property Frontiers – namely the Belize Reserve eco community in Western Belize.The site will comprise a 20 to 30-room hotel and 350 half-acre plots making up several small villages for private housing.The plots cost £24,950. For a limited number of properties, the developer offers interest free 50% finance over five years.

The builder will put up your house at cost – about £34,950 on top of the plot price, depending on what you pick from the three designs. Other designs may be introduced as the development progresses.The community was awarded an ‘excellent’ kite mark from the independent whatgreenhome.com web site.

Homes are totally eco friendly, built from local sourced wood. Solar power provides hot water and electricity. The sewerage system utilises anaerobic bacteria that is not only environmentally friendly but requires no electricity. The ongoing running and maintenance costs are predicted as minimal.
Belize property is the fourth cheapest out of all the Caribbean countries.