All bedlam breaks loose
Inhabitants of the El Manglito neighborhood, supported by the citizens of La Paz, have started a fight against what they describe as the dispossession of one of the few recreation spaces left in the Capital city: the “Gran Baja” beach. This in the face of a new tourist project called “Muelle Almar”.
The project includes the construction of a dock that will allow water transport to be connected to land and safely accommodate the boats. It intends to be in the “El Manglito” neighborhood, on a property in front of what was the Gran Baja hotel.
They point out that this pier represents a direct threat against the neighborhood and the entire city of La Paz because it would be located on a beach that, historically, has been a space for recreation, coexistence, subsistence and cultural roots for the population.
In addition, they add that tourism development in this area has accelerated the gentrification process, which has already caused the displacement of families who lived in El Manglito for generations.
Residents have been activated on various occasions to defend and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of La Paz.
They stressed that the construction of infrastructure such as bars or controlled access would only limit the use of this public space that is used every day by the people of La Paz for various activities.
When it comes to the environmental issue, they stress that the Ensenada de La Paz is a priority wetland for shorebirds and is home to endangered species such as sea turtles and the whale shark.
They state that “Muelle Almar” threatens the habitat of more than 20 thousand migratory birds that arrive at the cove each year, since it would increase pollution and alter the Ramsar site, which contravenes national and international environmental protection treaties.