The country's tourist attractions and the increasing volume of visitors from abroad guarantee the success of such efforts. The six biosphere reserves of the country have been established since 1980. The national government has expressed its political will to protect and improve the environment setting up new standards and rules. Garbage dumps of uncontrolled solid waste are next in importance among the priorities. The contamination of surface waters stemming from industrial residual waters and black waters without treatment as well as air pollution and noise are also a problem in big cities.
Floods are another environmental problem that affects population as well as large productive areas.
Ministerio de Econom a y Obras y Servicios P blicos.