Lake Maracaibo, South America's largest lake, has been severely polluted because of careless discharge of sewage and chemicals. "The toxic level is incalculable and practically irreversible," says Jos Moya, president of environmental group, Forja. The lake, which was once a sanctuary of flamingos and mangroves, started facing threat after oil was discovered in and around it in the 1920s. This lead to the establishment of some 500 companies, including chemical refineries, tanneries, slaughter houses and coal mines. The industries dump their effluents into the lake. Only three companies near the lake have wastewater systems that are consistent with environmental laws. "The lake has turned into a free zone for dumping," says Sheila Vanegas, president of the Institute for the Conservation of Lake Maracibo ( iclam ), a state watchdog group. iclam officials claim that the lake could be cleaned up and turned into a tourist spot, but funds for doing so are scarce.
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