Volcán Poás national park will open under new security model
- Real-time gas meter will be installed along with other devices.
- 5 refuges are being constructed simultaneously to comply with CNE requirements
As part of the new management and safety model that is being implemented for the coming re-opening of the Volcán Poás National Park (PNVP), 5 refuges are being constructed. New standards for managing visitors to the park will be established, and protective equipment is being purchased.
In terms of the work schedule, the 5 refuges include 3 new modules and 2 renovations and/or retrofits of the park’s existing infrastructure, such as the control house in the crater and the central hall in the health services area close to the crater area.
The refuges are being built in parallel so as to complete all 5 at the same time.
The projects consist of:
- A 2.5 x 2 m refuge for 18 people at the crater.
- A 2.0 x 2.5 m refuge for 10 people at the crater.
- A 1.5 x 3.2 m refuge for 8 people at the crater.
- Enlargement and remodeling of the control house for 20 people (crater).
- 30 m2 of earthenware for the central health services module for 50 people.
- 4 wooden structures with shade cloth to keep tourists off the paths.
The projects are based on Agreement no. 1-2018 of the Technical Assessment Committee for Vulcanology and Seismology, which set the criteria and conditions necessary to authorize the re-opening of the PNVP.
There will also be new arrangement for the logistics of access, which will regularize visits and limit the time on the crater, with limited access for group of 50 people. Furthermore, visitors will be able to purchase tickets using an online platform.
The new arrangements are based on requirements set by the Technical Assessment Committee for the secure re-opening of the protected area, which was closed in April 2017 due to volcanic activity.
The Vice-Minister of the Environment, Pamela Castillo, noted that the Environment Ministry, MINAE, is committed to the safety of visitors and park rangers at the Poás Volcano, which is why they led this inter-institutional process for the safe re-opening of the park in a responsible, professional manner.
“We are coordinating efforts between MINAE, ICT, the Emergency Commission, as well as OVISCORI, RSN, UCR-ICE and non-governmental organizations like Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre and FUNDECOR to protect visitors to this protected area when it re-opens. Furthermore, along with representatives of driving forces in the communities, we are promoting economic activity in the area”, she explained.
Gas measurement sensors to be acquired
As part of the process, a series of devices were recently purchased, along with specialized protection equipment for visitors in the event of a possible volcanic event.
The equipment consists of 4 real-time gas measurement sensors that will allow the detection of high levels of sulfuric acid and other gases that are potentially harmful to humans. The sensors will arrive in the country in the first few days of August.
If an emergency does occur, a protocol will be put into effect that will move visitors to a safe place containing 70 helmets, 140 air filters and 70 individual-use masks.
"The resources for the purchase of this equipment were part of the ¢77 million obtained from the Second US-Costa Rica Debt-for-Nature Swap, administered by the Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre and the Service Operation and Tourist Assistance Trust administered by Fundecor with the SINAC Central Conservation Area”, explained Zhenka Piskulich, Executive Director of Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre.
Felipe Carazo, Executive Director of Fundecor, affirmed that “we have worked hand-in-hand with Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre and SINAC to move forward in an organized, transparent and effective manner to secure the acquisition of this equipment, which is essential for the re-opening of the park.
“We’ve also promoted alternatives with institutions and neighboring communities that will allow them to take advantage of other activities so that they can widen their tourist offerings beyond trips to the crater,” Carazo emphasized.
The efforts are being led by the Monitoring Commission for the Opening of the Volcán Poás National Park, led by MINAE through the office of the Vice-Minister of the Environment. It has relied on close cooperation with the Poás Chamber of Tourism, represented by Manuel Ardón, the Integrated Development Association of Fraijanes, represented by Luis Angel Salazar, the Integral Development Association of Poasito by Luz Orozco Brenes and Coopetransasi R.L. by Luis Aguilar Chacón.
The commission also includes representation from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), the National Emergency Commission (CNE) and the non-governmental organizations, Fundecor and Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre.