Ambiguous land ownership is the root of many environmental problems in Corcovado, and unfortunately in Costa Rica. Adding to the complexity of overlapping authority from three different organizations, the area has been plagued by a “cut and run” response: much interest in the land at Corcovado comes from people with no long-term interest in living there. Unfortunately this also leads to unsustainable use of the land, resulting in deforestation, water pollution, conflictive relationships between government staff and local people, and general socio-economic stress.

Until recently, the hilly terrain of dense, continuous forest has protected Corcovado’s natural resources by limiting accessibility. However, with the recent construction of roads, the area has been invaded by farmers, loggers, miners, and tourists. Deforestation for agriculture and timber poses the greatest threat to Corcovado.

Gold mining has occurred in the Osa Peninsula for hundreds of years, yet it is only recently, with rising gold prices, better road access, and heavier machinery, that it has it posed a major threat to the park. Gold mining leads to water pollution and soil erosion, and as mining escalates, much of the park’s financial resources are diverted towards addressing this threat.

Finding the Solutions