CAVES AS NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES NEED PUBLIC POLICIES FOR PROTECTION IN SOME LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES: FAR FROM RHETORIC, CLOSER TO REALITY

Some Speleological investigations of the author since 1981 trying to demonstrate the diverse use of natural or artificial caverns by human groups and the damage caused both internal and external areas by lack of public policies protecting those geological/speleological heritages as a property of the humanity because some unconscientious people have affected some of them.

The methodology of the research is literature review and field trips at caves with a picture support. The widespread problem in Latin America is to have few; incoherent, ineffective, and unenforceable public policies to protect non-renewable natural resources, even though some governments pretend to cover the sun with a finger.

As results Initially, based on research presented during the V Congress of Speleology in Puerto Rico, 2007, appealing education, better definition, classification, and other characteristics in order to request a Public Policy for protection. For example, caves can be defined as underground phenomenon; however, it is not a exactly definition. Subsequently, in various sectors in Colombia visiting secondary caves from karstification and finally, in Nicaragua for primary caves as volcanic or tube caves it is easy to understand that caves have been used as part of culture behaviors like rites, ceremonies, and myths, among others. In addition, in both Colombia and Nicaragua, caves were refugee during armed social conflicts. Finally, along the Clear River Valley, several marble mining activities devastated some caves with knowledge of communities, media, and authorities.

In conclusion, it is necessary to create, implement, direct, control, and audit public policies in order to protect caves as a natural non-renewable resource in Latin America. For example, declare National Park protecting the volcano crater, lakes, and primary caves. The same in areas of karst or secondary caves. It is necessary to include their biotic reigns such as animal (Insects, crustaceans, birds, snakes, fish, and bats, among others.), diverse plants, protists and fungi, controlling depredation of caves in all countries of Central and South America