Star of environmental news segment joins the defense of Bosque Panul
Señor Litre assures that "only an alliance between nature and human beings will allow us to live."
We interviewed exclusively Señor Litre — the oldest resident of Bosque Panul — who became known a few days ago for starring in the environmental segment of Juan Carlos Bodoque, star journalist of the newscast "31 minutos."
How old are you, Señor Litre?
- I am 400 years old, but I feel like a sapling — he laughs and shakes his branches. We have been living here for a very long time. Since long before human beings arrived in these lands. In ancient times, my ancestors occupied this entire great valley and its surroundings. When I was born, Santiago barely reached as far as the Alameda. But with time it kept growing, and we kept retreating. Today, we barely survive in a few places in the city — like me, who has lived for four centuries in Bosque Panul. They have sent me from the forest to work with you, and together we will stop the danger that threatens us.
What danger do you mean?
- That there are human beings who do not understand how important we are to them. We, the inhabitants of the forest, not only provide pure air and cool breezes — we also stop the great boulders that roll down from the mountain with our strong roots; we absorb the rain and store it within us, contributing to the water cycle; our home is the abode of millions of living beings, generating harmony and biodiversity. Without us, human beings would die. So defending Panul is a planetary responsibility, one that will decide the lives of human beings and all the other inhabitants of the Earth.
But concretely, what danger are you referring to?
- Yes, I do tend to go off on tangents — Señor Litre bursts out laughing. I mean that for some years now, a very small group of human beings has wanted to place concrete tombs over me and my sisters and brothers.
Concrete tombs?
Concrete tombs! You call them houses, but they can never fulfill the vital role that we fulfill. The lives of the human beings who would live there in the forest — and indeed across the entire planet Earth — will be in serious danger as long as they continue destroying us.
Oh, but what can we do?
In the forest we know that the majority of human beings love and protect us, and understand our important function. That is why all the inhabitants of Panul gathered together, and we decided to join the work of Red Precordillera and the other kindred organizations, to live in a true community park. We want the people who love us to take care of us! Only a true alliance between nature and human beings will allow us to live. It is a struggle of life or death — forests or death.
Any final message you would like to give us?
(Señor Litre falls silent, and after two hours responds)
Let us not fight against power: we are the power ourselves. When we realize this, Panul will be saved.
Finally, congratulations on the episode of 31 minutos that was filmed in the forest. You looked great.
- Did I really look good? Didn't I look like a potted plant or a palm tree? — Señor Litre lets out a hearty laugh and disappears among the other trees of the forest.
Watch the environmental segment here: Bodoque's Green Segment in Bosque Panul
Red por la Defensa de la Precordillera.
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