Bolivia imposes car ban for ‘National Day of the Pedestrian’

The Bolivian government is trying to raise awareness of the environment by holding an annual, “National Day of the Pedestrian”, which began last Sunday, which involves a ban on cars in nine cities. President Evo Morales' government is currently facing criticism over plans to build a highway through the Amazon rainforest. Mr. Morales has been cited as a prominent advocate of indigenous rights and a protector of ‘Mother Earth’, but plans for the highway have eroded confidence in his environmental credentials.

As well as two million cars being off the streets, celebrations and events took place through the day including many sports events aimed at the young people. The president is said to be an avid sportsman.

The highway is still set to go ahead with the government ensuring that it will bring much needed investment in the country and that the rainforest will be protected. Opponents claim building through protected areas of rainforest will create illegal settlements and deforestation.

The vice president, Alvaro Garcia Linera, said that they are looking to strike a balance: "here is an unwavering commitment to protect the environment. We have 17m hectares - that is an area bigger than Belgium, that are reserves. We strive to protect Mother Nature but we also want to create mechanisms for the integration of people. This is the balance we seek," he said.