Blog Post | Latest Panama Visit - Part 2

Blogger: Patrick

Position: Co-Founder

Company: Silva Tree Panama S.A

Blog Synopsis

Green energy and alternative investment firm. Silva Tree is developing 1500 Hectare of Paulownia for Timber. The project will also have 800 HA qualified as a Carbon Offset Project. Our 3000-5000 Hectare Biomass will come soon by way of a fund.

Latest Panama Visit - Part 2

By Patrick

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Fellow co-owner Keren Katz and I met with an esteemed group of influential public figures from the local area, including the Police Commissioner of East Panama, Director of Ministry of Public Works, Head of the Judicial Investigation Department (Public Ministry)and the Mayor of the District of Chepo.

The local authorities were supportive and enthusiastic about the project because of the improvements to the quality of life for the local community as well as the implications for the local wildlife and natural habitat.

Police support was achieved for security matters in addition to providing an increasingly safe community for the local inhabitants.

The road authorities came up with a proposal for the upcoming road and bridge improvements, which will facilitate transportation of all goods and services in and out of the local area.

The Mayor gave support on behalf of the local people recognising the project's impact on the ecosystem and quality of life for the region and its inhabitants. He also promised to assist with the project development as much as possible, which is extremely positive.

Chepo is a farming district, and the dry season is a difficult time for many of its inhabitants. The drought makes farming impossible, and many people turn to rainforest logging just to make ends meet during these hard months.

Climate change seems to be elongating the dry season in Panama, magnifying the problem even further. By providing long-term employment for the local people, Silva Tree can bring them away from deforestation practices and provide them with a secure, sustainable income.

Local leaders and the department of environment see this aspect of the Princess Project as a crucial effect on the district of Chepo and the country as a whole.

The final part of our visit will be posted in the next few days so please look out for it, as it focuses on our work with the community in more detail.