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 -Published: Monday, November 11, 2019- National Parks generate more
than 3% of GDP, study says
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Protected areas generated around $ 1.8 billion in 2016. This is equivalent to 3.15% of gross domestic product. That's the finding of a study by the International Center for Economic Policy for Sustainable Development of the National University. The research sought to determine the contribution to the economy of national parks and biological reserves. Grettel Vega, director of the National System of Conservation Areas, said that this finding exceeds expectations. "Protected areas are thought to be unproductive areas that play against the economic development of communities," Vega said. "On the contrary, these areas are engines of local development." According to the study, the tourism sector is the most benefited from national parks or wild reserves. In 2016, 78% of revenues to national parks were generated in activities related to the tourism sector. According to the study, the vast majority of tourists who visit the country do so on vacation and visit a national park. The second-most benefited sector is electricity generation. According to the study, 15 hydroelectric dams take advantage of the water produced by national parks or biological reserves. All of the generation is by the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity. According to Olman Segura, director of the center that made the study, the national parks are fundamental for national development and Costa Rica must bet on maintaining them. The study invites Costa Rica to continue with the conservation of the protected areas, said Segura. However, the study shows that in previous years, the percentage contribution to the national economy of these protected was more. According to the study, the national parks contributed about 5% of gross domestic product and generated an income of $814 million in 2002 and $1.3 billion in 2011. According to the study, in total, all protected areas of Costa Rica cover about 25% of the national territory. Costa Rica's protected areas are essential to reduce the country's carbon emissions, said the study. In 2012, the entire forestry sector (including private forests) captured 2.5 megatons of carbon dioxide. ------------------------ Have you visit a national park or biological reserve in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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