In April 2014, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), headed by René Castro Salazar, completed the purchase of INBioParque’s land in Santo Domingo de Heredia for 1.5 billion colones.
The controversial decision solved the economic situation of the INBio Foundation, former owner of the park. However, it did not exonerate Castro and did not clarify doubts about the need to buy it.
Today, almost 3 years later, doubts increase. Despite the large investment, the park is closed and no one knows what its future is.
This was confirmed by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), which is responsible for managing INBioParque. They have neither staff nor money to open it to the public.
Laura Brenes Chaves, coordinator of park management, explained that the SINAC took possession from December 15th, 2015 and it has been closed since then.
The SINAC only allocated budget for basic maintenance of the infrastructure, forest ecosystems, artificial wetlands and animals,
confirmed the official.
In April of 2015, former minister Castro appeared before the legislators of the Commission of Environment. He accepted that there was a “political instruction” to acquire the land .
At the beginning of the current administration, Edgar Gutierrez, Environment Minister, ordered an audit to clarify the controversial purchase. This document will be sent to the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR).
While clarifying things, the SINAC presents 2 options to grant the management of the park to a third party:
-An agreement with a state university to reopen it through a foundation.
-A tender so an interested entity can administer it.