While the media is warning that the country discards 564 tons of plastic a day, Osa sets an example by promising to become the first plastic-free canton in Costa Rica. Andrés Vargas, one of the forerunners of the "Osa Libre de Plástico" movement and member of the Board of Directors of CATUOSA (Osa Chamber of Tourism), told how this initiative originated in the community of Bahia.
The Chamber has assumed a prominent role to expand the idea in and out of Osa. As part of the celebration of its 26th anniversary with the participation of Tourism Minister María Amalia Revelo, the Minister of Culture and Youth Sylvie Durán Salvatierra and Deputy Mario Castillo, they visited the Tres Ríos Educational Center (founded in 1967) south of Ojochal, where teachers, students and parents waited anxiously.
Mr. Luis Centeno, president of the Chamber, addressed the audience: "For 26 years the great CATUOSA family has been working with the communities without dwindling." The Chamber presented fans and school supplies donated by the members. However, the most important task was the planting of 26 saplings.
Doña Sylvie indicated that it was the first tour of the south for the new government, and that she was very happy be there. Accompanying her was a colleague of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. She said that children were like human plants and should not forget the effort their ancestors made. The deputy mentioned that by the neglect of humans the ozone layer had been badly hit and asked the children for the importance of planting trees? "You cannot cut a single tree if you have not planted it yourself!”
The Minister of Tourism recognized Osa as one of the most bio diverse areas in the world and stressed the importance of Sustainable Tourism that CATUOSA is so loyally promoting. Later, at the Térraba Restaurant more businessmen and the Municipality of Osa signed the commitment of the "Osa Libre de Plástico" Campaign.
At the Hotel Villas Rio Mar in Dominical, the Corcovado Foundation presented a recognition to its manager, Mr. Mauro Esquivel, and the Chamber signed an agreement with the Ministry of Tourism to support the CST program (Sustainable Tourism Certification). The event closed with a very joyful Anniversary Party.
By Dagmar Reinhard
INFO: Cámara de Turismo de Osa – Facebook CATUOSA
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