Urgent need for proper lake management

Water contamination, dramatic increase in diseases, loss of biodiversity at Lake Chapala as well as the urgent need for proper lake management in the face of water shortage were the main topics of the discussion between representatives of 35 lakes worldwide as well as 80 Mexican experts and lake managers during the 13th International Living Lakes Conference at the Mexican Lake Chapala.

Chapala (Mexico) / Radolfzell (Germany), March 30, 2010: Delegates from all over the world came together in Chapala, Mexico, to discuss priority issues related to the protection of the largest fresh water lake in Mexico and to exchange experiences and information on practical activities to protect lakes and wetlands as well as to develop their surroundings in a sustainable manner.

Chapala is one of the best studied lakes in Latin America – and also one of the most polluted. Research has been undertaken regarding the increase of persistent organic compounds (POPs) in Lake Chapala and their impact on fish and White Pelicans. POPs are substances that can cause genetic mutations and are widely used in agricultural and industrial areas. Further, they are highly toxic and can cause birth defects, reproductive disorders in humans and animals, cancer and damage to the central nervous system. The Santiago River, Lake Chapala’s only outlet, converts within 30 km from a reasonably healthy river into a highly polluted sewer, full of chemical substances and heavy metals. The inhabitants of riverside villages such as El Salto are suffering a dramatic increase in leukaemia, cancer and renal problems. Babies are born with genetic defects, and there has been a considerable increase in miscarriages.

Lake Chapala has been a member of the Living Lakes Network since 2001 and is represented by the Mexican NGOs Amigos del Lago Chapala and Fundación Cuenca Lerma Chapala Santiago. In 2009, the lake has been declared as a Ramsar site. As part of Mexico’s commitment to the Ramsar Convention, a Management Plan is currently being drawn up for Lake Chapala. This gives the Mexican authorities the opportunity to implement essential immediate and medium-term measures and to transform the seriously threatened Lake Chapala into an exemplary wetland for all Latin America. Possessing the Ramsar protection status offers a wide range of tools for a sound lake management. However, programmes and plans cannot be implemented without the consensus and active participation of the local population and other stakeholders. As pointed out by Maria Rivera, Senior Advisor for the Americas of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the elaboration of a management plan itself is not the task of the Convention, it should be developed and implemented locally taking into account every specific characteristic of the area.

The conference participants requested that the Presidency of the Federal State of Mexico should approve the Chapala Management Plan, in order to achieve the highest legal status, and should provide financial resources to implement the management plan as quickly as possible. For the health and well-being of the millions of people that rely directly on Lake Chapala’s resources and for the economic prosperity of the industrial and agricultural areas in the Chapala watershed, this demands immediate action.

Background information

Lakes and wetlands are not only hotspots of biodiversity - they are essential habitats for migratory birds. They also provide important so called “ecosystem services” for humans such as drinking water and food. Much of our industry and agriculture depend on viable lakes and wetlands. They are important for tourism and play a significant role in our cultures and traditions – many of them are sacred places for indigenous people.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is the first international convention that specifically provides habitat protection. Currently, 159 countries are part of the Convention and 1887 lakes and wetlands are designated as Ramsar sites. The Latin American countries, and Mexico in particular (126 Ramsar wetlands), are very active in the designation of Ramsar sites, but less than 30% of these sites have properly implemented management plans. The Ramsar Bureau estimates that about 60% of the world’s lakes and wetlands have been destroyed or are seriously threatened.

The Living Lakes network successively and sustainably engages with local institutions in regions where lakes and wetlands encounter severe threats. The projects are supported by international corporations such as Daimler, the German Airline Lufthansa, T-Mobile, Sika, Reckitt Benckiser and Osram.

Further information: Global Nature Fund Udo Gattenlöhner Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4 D-78315 Radolfzell Tel: 07732-9995-80, Fax: 07732-9995-88, E-mail: gattenloehner@globalnature.org Website: www.globalnature.org

Amigos del Lago Chapala, Mexico

Sergio Unzueta Flores sergiounzueta81@hotmail.com info@amigosdelago.org.