Long-time visitors to the Bahamas have raised concerns that the controversial Bimini Bay Resort will keep environmentally-minded tourists from coming to the island. In several letters to Prime Minister Christie, copies of which were also sent to the Tribune, tourists appealed to the government to halt construction of Phase I of the million resort to preserve the island's mangrove eco-system.
They expressed their fears that going ahead with the development, which has been scaled down by 50 percent since the original heads of agreement was signed in1997, will result in irreparable damage to the island's environment and that this fact will stop nature-conscious tourists from visiting Bimini.
However, Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe said that although the government understands the concerns of the people regarding the environment, he feels that many of the more outspoken opponents of the project are following their own selfish agendas.
The minister further emphasized that the government would never approve any project which would endanger the environment. "It is our country, given to us by God, why would we destroy it? We love our country, I don't understand why people get the idea that we would recklessly destroy it," he said.
Fay and Jack Bussel, from Portland, Maine, in their letter, appealed to Mr. Christie to recognise that Bimini's mangroves will provide natural protection from storms and a habitat for a wealth for economically valuable species. They asked government to implement the Bimini Marine Protected Area. "Both my husband and freinds favour countries where natural resources are protected. The devastating tsunami last year shows that mangrove forests provide the best protection for life and property," they said.
Nicholanna Prince, another tourist concerned about mangrove habitats, said: "I like to visit places where I can enjoy exotic wildlife and natural surroundings which are protected by the locals instead of exploited for a quick profit."
An anonymous writer said he feels the Bimini Bay development is "terribly short-sighted and ecologically destructive."
"Money may speak now, but the ecological disaster will speak later. Bimini's mangrove estuary serves as a fish nursery and is a special place both biologically and historically. It needs international help if it is to survive," the writer said.
A letter signed Danislava Marinova read: "As a tourist I am reluctant to choose a destination, a country or a resort that destroys valuable eco-systems."
She said that through the media and non-governmental organisations, numerous tourists have become aware of the controversy surrounding the Bimini Bay development. "Tourists are unlikely to patronise the Bahamas or Bimini Bay Resort and Casino if ever completed because of the environmental destruction that your administration has allowed on the island," she warned.
Minister Wilchcombe, however, pointed out that in his opinion an unstable economy and society or the country's crime rate would prove much more detrimental to the Bahamas tourism industry. "These people seem to overlook the opportunities such a project would provide for Bahamians," he said.
By Karen Herig
Tribune Staff Reporter
June 13, 2005
