Caribbean Style

This lay conservationist was grateful to read in the BVI Beacon of August 25, 2011 William Walker’s rendition to the continuing saga that is the Beef Island Resort Project. Mr. Walker’s Commentary was cogent, intelligent, and thorough.

It was a valuable piece of writing that gave the discerning reader much food for thought.  Mr. Walker’s article contained many specifics that deserve a response.

Mr. Walker first of all asserted that the concept of the 5 star resort project is  ”not generally to the public’s liking in these British Virgin Islands.”

That ” in these hard economic times, such developments’ overall long term benefits are at the very least questionable.’’

He offered a very interesting fact that, ” if 600 residential units were built, the whole of Beef Island would be used, and, in all probability, lost to most residents forever. The land will be lost to the local population: chilling to say the least! Mr. Walker estimated that the Hans Creek Project could delete ‘’ some 650 acres from our land bank.’’

Apparently, the Hans Creek Project, in addition to being a major resort development is also a rendition to that hugely popular sport of a global elite class, and similar wannabes, named golf.  But according to Mr. Walker’s well researched piece, “a golf course is likely to be a heavy drain on the local infrastructure.  It needs water, which locally can only come from desalination.’’ Mr. Walker further explained in his narrative the limits of providing both desalinated water and power to a resort on an island that ‘’ is chronologically power short in any case.’’ One may add scarcity of water during certain times of the year to that list.

But there is more.  The grass needed to furnish a modern, state of the art course uses fertilizer of which ‘’ the excess will be carried off in the runoff, and result in the pollution of the receiving waters. The probable result will be the destruction of a fish breeding area, which once destroyed, is gone forever.’’

Mr. Walker was giving the public his take on the bottom line on the Hans Creek issue: his article further went on to explain the legal and environmental  anomalies, and quixotic attempts at getting around the law by the rich and powerful, using a cadre of lawyers and similar professionals. I advise all who can find the time, to make the effort to read Mr. Walker’s article. There have been studies done by experts on the Hans Creek proposed development and its effects on the environment. The public needs to know what the results of the findings are, if they have not already been made available.

The aim of this particular narrative, however, is to describe the paradox that a gem of a geography called the Virgin Islands, with a fragile ecosystem, but having serious economic and developmental needs faces. This piece of writing has two aims: firstly, it shows the irony of the quest at disfiguration of the Beef Island environment by powerful interests, developers, and their allies, for commercial gain. Secondly, it is an attempt at providing an understanding of the critical need for developing the BVI tourism product to cater for an international market worth billions of dollars in revenues.

The BVI as we all know possesses an invaluable and priceless natural resource in its pristine and idyllic geography, a divine gift that has made the over 60 islands of the archipelago world famous as a yachting and resort destination. The Islands of the BVI include unspoiled and isolated beaches, world class diving and snorkeling, and an underwater world rich in coral reef, sea life, and spectacular waters for the diver and snorkeler.

But even more, the tourism aspect of the archipelago has the potential of creating a level of prosperity for the current and future generations that is greater than the current level of economic wellbeing. That means the need for a much greater degree of foreign and local investment in facilities such as resorts and hotels, and leisure facilities; but simultaneously continuing to build a social and physical infrastructure that is both friendly to the native and tourist alike.

A complex hybrid, that is environmentally harmonious, and that caters for a much greater amount of tourist traffic coming into these Antilles in the future. Bear in mind, that owing to current demographics, an expansion in tourism will mean more migrants coming into the Virgin Islands to work in the industry, and that means deeper thought on how to integrate these newcomers without jeopardizing the already lopsided imbalance towards the expatriate in the population mix.

In another vein, this ‘eco-warrior’ appreciates the back and forth the Hans Creek matter has generated.  It is overwhelming evidence of a healthy and functioning democracy, where due processes are respected and practiced. In many other countries, the views of the public would have simply been ignored, and the development executed to the detriment of public debate and the national consciousness. There definitely remains a queasiness and uneasiness about any profound physical change on Hans Creek, by a large percentage of the BVI population.

Yes, the BVI must optimize its natural geographic advantages for commercial gain in a highly competitive global industry. And that means increasing airport capacity and size, with longer runways to accommodate international jet traffic, add 5 star port facilities and accommodations, and world class leisure, especially after the current global economic slowdown ends, and the western tourist returns in greater numbers than present. Then, add an increasingly affluent Asian tourist and traveler who will soon be newly discovering these enchanting and magnificent West Indies.

But with over 60 islands within the jurisdiction of this country, is there not sufficient land to build myriad resorts, add a network of swift ferry and land transportation systems that can convey thousands of tourists from airports to resorts in quick time? In other words, are there not alternatives to Hans Creek? Has any policy maker considered the feasibility of building a mega resort on say an Anegada or a Jost Van Dyke that could much more easily accommodate this type of investment?

Mr. Walker was not afraid to stress the political sensitivity of the issue, by stating that ‘’ the Beef island project probably cost the NDP the Eighth District,’’ and he further asserted that ‘’ the development concept quite possibly cost the party heavily in all the other districts.’’ He was obviously writing about the last General Election.

What this tells, is the fact that the public, whether consciously or unconsciously, is concerned about what type of development takes place on Beef Island. And that selfsame public is currently watching the legal play. It is imperative the public is consulted on this matter as a matter of national interest. Although, one can never overestimate the determination of those who may wish to push a project through, notwithstanding the outcry, and the public opprobrium, add damage to a fragile environment, to do just that.

Dickson Igwe is on Twitter and Facebook