When science disrupts indifference: The landslide in el Cajón and the chronicle of a foretold emergency
In recent days, Costa Rica (and our local communities in particular) has once again witnessed the devastating effects of heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslide emergencies. Among the impacted areas, the sector of El Cajón, in the Bolívar district of Grecia, stands out once again.
To many, these events are presented in the news as "unforeseen incidents" or "surprises of nature." However, from the standpoint of science and responsible environmental management, what occurred in El Cajón is no surprise: it is a warning we have repeatedly highlighted.
Science is Not a "Guru": It is Evidence
Some time ago, after publicly pointing out the severe environmental risks and terrain instability in El Cajón, a municipal councilor went so far as to refer to me ironically as the “environmental guru.”
Let us clarify this with complete transparency: I am not a guru, nor do I claim to be. As a scientist and President of FUNDEMA-PP, I investigate the interactions between human activity and nature’s behavior using technical criteria. When we conduct technical assessments of vulnerable zones, we do so backed by hydrogeological, geotechnical, and climatic data.
The recent landslide in El Cajón is the empirical proof of a warning we issued in a timely manner: treating the calls of science with disdain or contempt carries a very high cost for our communities.
From illegal open dump to slope instability
In a previous analysis published in 2025 in the local press (Periódico Mi Tierra), FUNDEMA firmly denounced the existence of an open-air illegal garbage dump in El Cajón de los Ángeles, located on the slopes of the Poás Volcano (see original source: Illegal garbage dump endangers health, life, and aquifers in El Cajón de los Ángeles, Grecia).
In that article, we highlighted three critical factors that have now assumed alarming relevance:
Threat to aquifer recharge zones: The illegal dumping of waste on steep slopes allows leachates and pollutants to infiltrate underground water sources that supply thousands of residents.
Geotechnical terrain instability: The uncontrolled accumulation of solid waste on steep slopes degrades soil cohesion, adding artificial weight and destabilizing hillsides.
The multiplier effect of climate change: We are living through an era marked by patterns of more intense rainfall over shorter periods. When torrential downpours fall on already compromised, deforested, or overloaded soils, landslides and flash floods become inevitable.
An urgent call for institutional action
We cannot continue to handle disaster risk management reactively, waiting for hillsides to collapse or water surges to wash away accumulated waste.
From FUNDEMA-PP, we reiterate more strongly than ever our call to the competent authorities:
To the Municipality of Grecia: To fulfill the legal mandate established under the Comprehensive Waste Management Law (Law No. 8839) by permanently shutting down clandestine dumps and investing in environmental remediation for affected sites.
To the Ministry of Health and MINAE (Water Directorate): To exercise their regulatory and oversight roles in priority water recharge areas, safeguarding both water quality and the safety of communities located downstream.
To the Citizens: To stay informed and demand accountability from authorities, recognizing that the right to a healthy environment (Article 50 of the Constitution) requires an active and engaged citizenry.
Looking ahead with responsibility
Climate change is not an abstract future projection; it is a present reality altering the intensity of weather phenomena and requiring timely decision-making. Environmental issues can no longer be viewed through a lens of political or bureaucratic indifference.
At FUNDEMA-PP, we reaffirm our commitment to putting science, technical rigor, and environmental protection at the service of our communities. Preventing today is the only way to safeguard health, water resources, and human lives tomorrow.
Support Our Environmental Work
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Original Reference Source:
Salazar Rodríguez, A. H. (2025). Botadero ilegal de basura pone en peligro la salud, la vida y los mantos acuíferos en el Cajón de los Ángeles, Grecia. Periódico Mi Tierra. Available at: periodicomitierra.com
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