Belize is located in Central America. The country boasts a verdant forest and a coral reef since it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea on its eastern side and the Mayan Forest on the other. The Maya Mountain Marine Corridor (MMMC) which encompasses the country’s tropical rainforests, coastal wetlands, mangrove forests and coral reef has one of the world’s greatest collections of biodiversity. The Mayan forest is home to over 220 tree species and 350 species of birds. The country also possesses the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere, the Meso-American Reef which is second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in world ranking. The presence of over 500 species of fish has been recorded in the reef. This array of natural splendour helps to generate tourism. The government of Belize and many NGOs such as Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Nature Conservancy understand the importance of protecting the country’s natural treasures from degradation caused by economic and agricultural development and tourism. Over 40% of Belize’s total land area is protected. The protected areas of Belize extend beyond the forested areas and the reef. There are archaeological reserves such as Cahal Pech and Caracol which are protected by the Ancient Monuments & Antiquities Act. Belize is also home to the world’s only jaguar sanctuary. This protection and conservation ensures that these areas continue to perform their ecological, social, economic and cultural purposes.

The Belize Department of Environment works to educate the public and tourists about issues relating to the preservation and sustainability of the environment. The department outlines many guidelines for farmers, workers in the automotive and fiberglass industry and service station workers and owners. Despite the government’s seemingly strong committed to the sustainable development of the environment, an increase in cruise ship arrivals and recent oil exploits by the Belize Natural Energy Ltd (BNEL) have many Belize citizens concerned about the environmental impacts of these endeavours.

Solid Waste Management