Eco-briefs
HONDURAS: Forest Authority Powerless Against Fires

TEGUCIGALPA, Mar 8 (Tierramérica).- Officials from the government's Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) declared themselves incapable of controlling forest fires in Honduras, due to lack of human and logistical resources.

Officials from the government's Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) declared themselves incapable of controlling forest fires in Honduras, due to lack of human and logistical resources.

ICF director Trinidad Suazo told Tierramérica that they have just 300,000 dollars, which will be used to pay for the work of 144 people hired to monitor and prevent fires in the protected areas of the country's 18 departments.

"With those funds and personnel, it is impossible to monitor and protect the natural resources. There is no capacity, but we do what we can," Suazo said, noting that most of the government's contribution to forest protection goes to the military and the Environment Secretariat.

The ICF was created two years ago to replace the Honduran Corporation of Forest Development.