Fernando Dámaso, Translator: Unstated
The province of Pinar del Rio, broken off from its original province
(Artemis), more for political interests and to control the citizens, who
by economic necessity, in what is still left to them, possesses natural
wealth that intelligently used, could provide development and wealth to
its people and the nation. I am not referring to the famous tobacco
plantations or mining, but the eco-tourism in its different variants
(hiking, observation and photography of wildlife, climbing natural stone
walls, etc.).
For years in the municipality of Viñales, where the valley that bears
its name is located, climbing has been spontaneously practiced, both by
foreigners and nationals, attracted by it. The National Institute of
Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) has never been
interested in it (perhaps because it provides no Olympic medals), nor
have the tourist or environment bodies.
For some time now, municipal authorities, with the consent of the
province, have been given the noble task to pursue climbers and expel
them from the territory, threatening them with fines, detention and
other injustices. The reason given for such a course, is that they are
predators in the valley, undermine the environment and could be
conducting espionage in the caves and mountains.
Climbing is practiced worldwide, where there are natural conditions for
it, and climbing walls (artificial walls) are built for this purpose,
and there is evidence that its followers are great ecological activists
and environmentalists, and preserving the environment in its natural
state, without aggressive action against it, which would defeat this
activity, which requires climbing stone walls in their natural state
without artificial alterations.
The suggestion of espionage demonstrates the technological illiteracy of
the authorities and their partners, who know that every inch of the
planet's surface is permanently under observation for the existing
satellite systems without the need for shadowy agents, or film or video
cameras.
It would be desirable that the responsible entities (sports, tourism,
agriculture and environment) regulate these activities, giving them
legal status, thus avoiding the hardships of these brave out-dated witch
hunters, inventors of nonexistent laws and regulations.
A National Park is not a museum with inanimate objects on permanent
display, with a sign that says "Don't touch," but a living organism,
where fauna, flora and humans interact. At least that is what happens in
all National Parks in the world.
To prohibit things, even though it has always been, and is, the most
used measure in this country for over fifty years, has never solved
anything, and has provided only violations, illegal, misery and discomfort.
The real predators in the valley are those who have destroyed the
original caves with dynamite explosions and excavations that have
liquidated its flora and fauna, forcing farmers to go deep into the
forests and clearings to harvest hidden tubers in order survive,
polluting and drying up rivers and streams, attacking the walls with
paintings of artificial haystacks, trying to attribute to our indigenous
people skills they never had, because of their limited development, and
also those who, having to ensure the integrity of the forests, cut down
their trees and sell the wood in the black market.
Once before the authorities banned rock music, pursuing its fans and
putting them in forced work camps. Years later, the same authorities,
erected a statue to its highest figure — John Lennon — in a central park
of El Vedado, and now even organize festivals. Do not make the same
mistake with climbing. These past experiences should serve for
something, even if they were negative.
January 30 2012
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