The massive border wall built between the U.S. and Mexico disrupts the critical ecological corridor of El Pinacate, a World Heritage Site in Mexico. This concrete barrier severs wildlife access to vital water sources, jeopardizing numerous species like the endangered Sonoran pronghorn.
UNESCO, the UN agency responsible for World Heritage Sites, urges both countries to take immediate action. Their report highlights the need for:
Restoring ecological connectivity: Removing or modifying the wall to allow animal migration.
Monitoring key species: Tracking populations impacted by the barrier, like the dwindling Sonoran pronghorn.
Developing conservation measures: Protecting the reserve from additional threats like a planned solar power plant.
Failure to address these concerns could land El Pinacate on the "List of World Heritage in Danger," jeopardizing its protected status and international support.
The wall's impact is already evident. Dead animals, including wild boars and bighorn sheep, have been found near the barrier, unable to reach their usual water sources. While no Sonoran pronghorn carcasses have been discovered, their numbers have dwindled alarmingly.
Experts like former reserve director Federico Godínez Leal emphasize the urgency of collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico. He notes the efforts of his Magool Foundation to provide alternative water sources for affected animals, but stresses the need for larger-scale solutions.
Without joint action, the future of El Pinacate and its unique biodiversity remains uncertain. The concrete wall stands as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of prioritizing borders over the delicate balance of nature.
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41 w
This wall was built with zero consideration for ecological balance
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41 w
The threat posed to the World Heritage status of El Pinacate by the U.S.-Mexico border wall is a stark reminder of the environmental consequences of such infrastructure. The disruption of the critical ecological corridor and the hindrance of wildlife access to vital water sources emphasize the urgent need for reconsideration and action. UNESCO's call for restoring ecological connectivity by removing or modifying the wall is not just a plea for conservation but a demand for recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The endangered Sonoran pronghorn and numerous other species face significant challenges due to the physical barrier, jeopardizing their survival and disrupting the delicate balance of the natural environment.
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41 w
One more reason why this wall should never have been built
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41 w
This raises concerns about the environmental & cultural consequences of such infrastructure projects!
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41 w
The impact of the U.S. border wall on the ecological corridor in Mexico is concerning and needs to be addressed for the preservation of wildlife and the environment.
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@walter_lungayi Reconsideration is what can solve this issue.
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42 w
This is very saddening .. Some political decisions needs to be properly reviewed before being implemented
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@chris_ngatia Such decisions need to be well tabled and discussed beforehand to at least fathom the outcomes and therefore declining them.
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@chris_ngatia Yes totally
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42 w
It's disheartening to see how political decisions can jeopardize not just local ecosystems but also global heritage.
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42 w
@princess_nel_268 it's very sad. Some political decisions are just selfish
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41 w
@princess_nel_268 It's definitely unfair to see negative decisions being implemented by the so called leaders.
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@princess_nel_268 This decision was not well thought out