Environmental impact
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Environment: an efficient cooperation
On territories that distinguish themselves through their majesty, entrusted by the nations that have welcomed the event with enthusiasm, the Dakar had the duty to respect the places. For their first visit to South America, the organisers therefore wanted to approach the authorities in charge with the environmental questions. This process was adopted as soon as the first stages of the course making. It then continued by an efficient cooperation in the last preparations, and then during the rally. When the moment came for an analysis of the environmental impact of the race, the organisations commissioned presented a report that underlines the efficiency, in Argentina and Chile of the devices established for the passage of the Dakar.
In Chile, it was the CONAMA (Comision Nacional del Medio Ambiente) that proceeded in an evaluation during the race days, and then requested an assessment from the different regional directions after the passage of the rally. The conclusion of its report reveals no dysfunction:
“The organisation of the Argentina Chile 2009 Dakar Rally has respected all the agreements established, especially concerning the layout of the route so that it doesn’t go through places protected in an official way, or sensitive places in terms of regional biodiversity.”
This year, the validation commission of the route set in Chile welcomes, other than the members of the CONAMA, the representatives of the Ministerio de Bienes Nacionales as well as the Corporacion Nacional de Desarollo Indigena (CONADI) that supports the indigenous populations.
In Argentina, the Secretaria de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable especially focused on examining the work done by the company chosen to deal with the collect, the sorting and the treatment of specific waste at the bivouac, like oil change, used tires, etc. There again, the authorities pointed out the implication of the different parties and suggested some marginal adjusting that will aim at improving the system set up.
The work accomplished in 2009 allowed preventing possible environmental damages. It is with the same ambition and in a climate of cooperation that the organisers take on the preparation for the 2010 edition.
