It is therefore no surprise that many of the great writers and poets have sought refuge and inspiration for their writings in scenic environments.

In recent times there has been a notable increased awareness and consciousness on environmental health and beauty the world over, influencing the birth of many organisations that have dedicated themselves to the maintenance of a healthy environment.

In Guyana, there has also been this increased awareness.

However, this unfortunately has not been translated into largely meaningful actions aimed at improving the aesthetics in our communities.

The difficulty of translating this increased awareness, perhaps, has to do with the attitude of the wider society.

This attitude is evidenced by the distasteful practices such as passengers recklessly discarding food and beverage containers from vehicles anytime and anywhere, persons dumping garbage and derelict vehicles in drains, alleyways and any convenient open spaces with unbearable impunity, and a slew of other unsavoury habits.

In addition to the attitudinal problem, Guyana does not have a culture of enforcing laws pertaining to disposal of garbage and the maintenance of a healthy environment.

Many campaigns were started, but inexplicably not sustained.

One such campaign, which was started last year, was the one to rid the society of the eyesores across the country of the heaps of derelict vehicles recklessly dumped in various "dump sites."

The campaign, which began briskly, suddenly petered out for some unknown reason or reasons, and so these "dump sites" continue to spring up all over the country.

On the East Coast Demerara there are some notable `heritage sites' of derelict vehicles which have been in existence for many years, without the relevant authorities taking appropriate action to curb this unconscionable practice.

Of course, this inaction by the relevant authorities has resulted in making the unscrupulous lawbreakers even bolder.

And when it is considered that one of the major economic thrusts is the promotion of tourism in this country, these eyesores are certainly of no help.

In fact, they are certainly a disincentive to the tourism industry.