Costa Rica’s Comptroller General has ordered immediate inspections of three properties in southern Costa Rica after satellite images revealed possible forest clearing, earthworks, new roads and construction without the required permits. The binding order, issued yesterday, directs the Municipality of Osa and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) to investigate activity within the Paso de la Danta Biological Corridor and the Fila Costeña, one of the most environmentally sensitive areas.
The investigation examined seven properties after authorities received a complaint alleging possible land-use changes in areas with extensive forest cover, rivers, streams and high ecological fragility. The latest order focuses on three properties where official records and satellite images raised the greatest concern.
On the first property, municipal records show only a permit issued in 2020 for a 70-square-meter (753-square-foot) entrance structure. Environmental approvals were also issued for electrical distribution lines.
However, satellite images show what appears to be tree clearing, earthworks, buildings and internal roads in areas potentially covered by mature and secondary forest. The locations of those activities do not match the approved electrical infrastructure, and no permits were found for cutting, harvesting or transporting timber from the property.
A second property has no registered construction permits or buildings declared with the municipality. Although it received environmental approval connected to a water concession, georeferenced images indicate possible removal of mature and secondary forest, earthworks and signs of an urban development project.
The third property also has no registered construction permit, despite construction values appearing in its municipal property declaration. Satellite analysis found possible forest clearing, land modification and an urbanization process. An environmental approval connected to a request for additional water had been issued for the property, but no forestry permits were registered. The Osa Prosecutor’s Office also has an open case involving the site.
The Comptroller’s Office stressed that approvals for electricity infrastructure or water use do not replace the environmental, forestry and municipal permits required for construction, tree cutting and land modification. Officials must now conduct a full review of documents, technical records and conditions at the three sites. Field inspections are also required to determine whether the work violated Costa Rica’s Forestry Law, environmental regulations or construction rules.
If violations are confirmed, the Municipality of Osa and SINAC must impose the appropriate corrective measures and sanctions. They may also pursue administrative or court action against those responsible. Both institutions must certify their compliance with the order by September 18, 2026.
The complaint that prompted the investigation reached the Comptroller’s Office on April 9. It identified seven properties believed to be undergoing possible land-use changes inside the biological corridor. The Community Alliance Commission, which forms part of the corridor’s local committee, had previously submitted a request for an investigation through the Broad Front legislative caucus in September 2025.
The July order follows a broader directive issued on May 21 to SINAC, the Water Directorate and the municipalities of Osa, Pérez Zeledón, Quepos, Dota, Buenos Aires and Tarrazú. That earlier investigation found that local governments often processed construction permits without formally incorporating environmental considerations or establishing preventive consultation procedures with environmental and water authorities.
Several municipalities also lacked complete land-use plans or systems capable of determining whether proposed construction was inside the biological corridor or another environmentally fragile area. Osa’s existing land-use plan covers only the Cortés district and dates from 1997. The first order required authorities to add environmental reviews to construction-permit procedures, establish mandatory coordination between institutions, improve territorial monitoring and train municipal employees responsible for reviewing projects.
SINAC was also instructed to update the corridor’s management plan, which expired in 2023, and identify forests, watersheds, wildlife routes and other environmentally fragile areas that require stronger protection.
Created in 2000, the Paso de la Danta Biological Corridor covers approximately 82,128 hectares (203,000 acres) between Costa Rica’s central and southern Pacific regions. It connects forests stretching from the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce watershed toward the Talamanca mountain range.
The corridor includes major tropical forest areas, water recharge zones and routes used by large mammals. It also connects protected areas including the Los Santos Forest Reserve, Marino Ballena National Park and the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland. Its rivers carry water and sediment toward coastal ecosystems and coral communities along the South Pacific.
Much of the corridor crosses privately owned land, making municipal permitting and enforcement central to protecting its ecological connections. Continued road building, forest removal and scattered real estate projects could divide wildlife habitat, place additional pressure on local water supplies and affect ecosystems downstream.
The latest order does not establish that environmental crimes occurred. Authorities must now determine the extent of the work, whether valid permits existed and what corrective or legal action should follow
