September 8, 2011
Honduras

Construcción de central eólica afecta a indígenas lencas

teleSUR, miércoles, 7 de septiembre de 2011, multimedia.telesurtv.net

En Honduras miles de indígenas lencas se han visto afectados por la construcción de una central eólica en su comunidad, la cual ha generado daños al entorno natural, en el que se basa su subsistencia.

(Construction of wind plant affects indigenous Lenca: In Honduras, thousands of indigenous Lenca have been affected by the construction of a wind plant in their community, which has caused damage to the natural environment, on which their livelihood is based.)

With English subtitles:

Thousands of indigenous Lenca in Honduras have been affected by the construction fo a wind power plant. The construction occupies their lands and affects the environment which is their source of sustenance. More information from Telesur’s Jorge Fita.

Thirty kilometers from Tegucigalpa, in Cerro de Hula, Latin America’s largest wind farm is almost finished … However, for the villagers in the area the project has meant loss of their land and destruction of the environment.

Gilma Martínez, resident: “We have been very affected, first because they’ve cheated us, they forced us to sign a rigged contract, and we lost our lands.”

The electric company rented the lands where the facilites are erected, but owners claim that it has not fulfilled the agreement. They can not cultivate their lands, the main activity of the Lenca community. They are forbidden to enter and receive an annual rental of only 80 U.S. dollars.

Constancia Vásquez, resident: “I’m the owner of my land and I have to enter. If they say something, I don’t care. I have the right to enter and my family, too.”

Several organizations have denounced irregularities in the development of this energy project, primarily because of the lack of environmental impact studies and the lack of information to locals, which is required by international trade agreements.

Alfredo Noel, Santa Ana Lenca leader: “We know there wasn’t a prior consultation, as required by the U.N. declaration and which sometimes serves to help indigenous peoples, but there was never such an inquiry.”

On September 15 the energy facility will begin operation, and other projects are expected in other parts of the country. Affected people are hoping to prevent their situation from happening to other communities.

Demands of the people from Cerro de Hula have joined demands throughout Honduras, that the country’s development be carried out with respect to the environment and traditions.

Jorge Fita, Telesur, Hula Hill, Honduras.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/08/construccion-de-central-eolica-afecta-a-indigenas-lencas/