Donate NowBy: Nadia Sussman
Today head archeologist Richard Hansen continued our tour of monumental architecture, while discussing his plans for the development of ecotourism at El Mirador. Hansen is 
convinced that the only way to stop deforestation is to create a legally protected 810,000-acre no-cut area around the archaeological sites here, bounded by the natural borders of the Mirador Basin. He maintains that all logging — sustainable or not — will sooner or later lead to road-building, slash-and-burn farming, and the permanent destruction of the jungle.
Hansen's concrete plans for development involve the construction of an $8 million narrow-gauge train that would take people to multiple archaeological sites in the region. Ecolodges at El Mirador would be available fore those who wish to spend more than a day. To pay for this infrastructure, Hansen has solicited funding from financial heavyweights in Guatemala and the U.S. Potential investors include members of PACUNAM, an organization of Guatemalan business leaders, who represent 80 percent of Guatemala's GDP. The owners of Cementos Progreso, Gallo Beer, and Paíz are among the investors. Hansen also entertains the likes of foreign royalty and Hollywood celebrities such as Mel Gibson as part of his effort to generate support for conserving the basin. ...