With population increasing fast in the remote island community on “Robinson Crusoe Island” (known in Chile as the Juan Fernández Archipelago), authorities are worried about the environmental problems that may result.

Inhabitants at the island’s only village – San Juan Batista – increased from 629 to 1,000 in just seven years and 70 new housing units have been constructed on the hills surrounding the town.

The Juan Fernández Archipelago is a sparsely inhabited island group lying 670 kilometers from mainland Chile in the Pacific Ocean and administratively belonging to Region V.

 

 

 

The archipelago is composed of three volcanic islands and is located 670 kms west of the Chilean mainland.  It is administered by Chile’s Region V.

The National Environmental Commission (CONAMA) has imposed limits on infrastructure development to protect the archipelago’s natural flora and fauna. But these limits are butting up against the town’s desire to grow, and so the town of San Juan Batista is seeking modifications.

“The population [in the village] has grown very rapidly in recent years,” said town mayor Leopoldo González. “This generates necessities which are still restricted by the [CONAMA] plan.”

The CONAMA plan stipulates that seaside land and areas surrounding the docks are reserved only for port facilities and activities.

“Villagers have wanted to construct restaurants in the areas surrounding the docks for a long time,” said González. “But we can’t give them a permit to do so because of the restrictions, even though opening a few commercial areas has little impact [on the environment].” The modifications made to the plan outline risk and flood areas as well as escape routes in the case of a tsunami.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust - an international charity that works to protect endangered species - has listed the archipelago amongst the planet's 100 ecosystems that must be conserved. In October 2009 a team of about 50 international experts met in Region V’s Viña del Mar to analyze the endangered flora and fauna of the Juan Fernández archipelago. 

More than 400 different species of plants and animals have been classified throughout the country since 2005, with 115 identified as the most vulnerable and fragile.

“Almost 84 percent of Juan Fernández's fauna finds itself in danger of extinction,” said Álvaro Sapag, director of the National Environment Commission (CONAMA). In the last 100 years, eight different plants have disappeared. The situation facing the island's animals is very similar.” (ST, Sept. 28, 2009)

As an example, National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) officials reported in June 2009 that there were now less than 1,000 Juan Fernández Hummingbirds (Sephanoides fernandesis) left in the wild. Thousands of years of isolation have left the species without a prudent fear of predators. The most damaging effects on the population have come from cats brought to the island by human visitors (ST, June 22 , 2009).

SOURCE: LA TERCERA
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