Two wetland sites put up for international recognition
- concerns remain over Shell Beach road
Stabroek News
November 17, 2002
Shell Beach and the Rupununi Wetlands have been recommended to become the first `Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance' sites in Guyana.
Meanwhile the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS) has expressed "extreme concern" about the construction of a six-mile road from Waini Point to Shell Beach with consequent damage to the mangroves and other forms of bio-diversity.
Shell Beach, a ninety-mile stretch of land comprising several beaches, is the nesting site for four of the world's eight endangered species of marine turtle, while the mangrove forests in the area are home to the scarlet ibis, white egret and the lesser known giant blue-shelled `bundurie' crabs.
The recommendation was made at a just-concluded workshop sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRD). The workshop recognised the need for consultations with all the stakeholders in the areas recommended.
A press release from the EPA said the Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 and entered into force in 1975. It came into being because of concerns about the loss of wetlands in the world. Countries signing on to the convention are obligated to list important wetland sites, ensure that wetlands are used wisely, establish management systems and carry out training to manage wetland reserves, as well as co-operate with other countries to wisely use wetlands.
The workshop was part of a process to assist Guyana to become a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, by discussing a strategy for wetlands management in Guyana, and providing training for such management.
In a statement on the construction of a road in the Shell Beach area recommended as a Ramsar Site, President of the GMTCS Dr Peter Pritchard said that in addition to being considered for the Ramsar listing the entire North-West coast of Guyana is under consideration for inclusion in Guyana's future Protected Area System.
Noting that consolidation of the system was "unavoidably slow in view of the difficult decisions that have to be made, the multi-agency nature of the work, and the current lack of funding," Dr Pritchard said that it was of paramount importance that the integrity of the proposed sites not be compromised before they can be included in the system.
He said the construction of the six-mile road from Waini Point to Almond Beach was compromising the future inclusion of Shell Beach not only as a site for marine turtle conservation but as a wetlands site.
Dr Pritchard said "one must certainly question the optimism of any business plan that seeks to bring eco-tourists to such a difficult site, and to establish permanent structures on a shifting coast. Obviously people have a right to waste their money if they so choose, but they should not destroy ecologically important areas while doing so. Mangroves should always be protected from destruction because of their function in protecting vulnerable shorelines - a sort of natural sea wall for shoreline forests and other ecosystems - and as a nursery ground and breeding place for a multitude of commercially important fish species. The mangrove clearing is illegal and is ecologically harmful. All eyes are on Guyana's small but vitally important Environmental Protection Agency to see whether the law of the land can be invoked literally to stop the mangrove destruction in its tracks, or whether the law of the jungle will (also literally) be the only authority recognized by this developer."
Meanwhile the developers David and Susan Narine have been issued with cease orders by the EPA, the Lands and Survey, the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Sea and River Defence Board to stop all construction works in the area. The developer had, in addition to building the road, erected eight benabs for eco-tourism purposes on Almond Beach, one of eight beaches that make up Shell Beach.
An investigation into the development in the area by the EPA revealed that the area cleared was prime mangrove forest and removal of this vegetation will leave the area more vulnerable to flooding and was in contradiction to the National Mangrove Management Plan policy.
The investigation also found that plans were in train for building a wharf at the mouth of the Waini River.
According to the EPA, the Vice Chairman of Region One Fermin Singh, when contacted said that the region was aware of the project but had advised the developers to seek the necessary permission before starting.
Singh said the developer had not sought the approval based on a submission of the Regional Land Selection Committee and as such had not been granted permission. The Narines had applied for some 50 acres of land in the area but their application had been held in abeyance pending approval of other related agencies.
The EPA investigative team also recommended that a meeting should be arranged between the developers and the EPA to discuss the way forward for the project and that a meeting with the various sector agencies might also be useful.
