How Belize is showing up Jamaica

Monday, February 06, 2012

Those who have visited the BBC website in recent days may well have read the inspiring story of efforts by our CARICOM sister nation of Belize to "balance" its thriving tourist industry with protection of its rich ecology.

In the context of the American continental mainland, Belize is a small, sparsely populated country but it boasts large untouched forests occupied by a wide array of flora and fauna. Its natural environment twinned to its enthralling Mayan heritage is facilitating a fast-growing tourist industry.

The recognition that without its environment, the tourism 'gold mine' will quickly disappear has forced the authorities in the Central American nation to proactively protect the country's nature assets.

We are told that much of Belize's land mass enjoys protected environmental status. Crucially, the general population - recognising where and how its bread is buttered - has also bought into environmental projects as part and parcel of community tourism.

This happy Belizean story contrasts with the frustrating tendency in Jamaica to take our own environment for granted. The truth is that spoilt by the natural splendour of a land described by the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus more than 500 years ago as "...the fairest isle... my eyes have ever seen", Jamaicans have been careless and wanton with our physical space.

That carelessness is true not just of farmers who use fire to clear land or charcoal burners who deplete the mangroves but also the authorities who grant building permits without thorough environmental checks and over decades have facilitated mining operations without proper thought to environmental consequences.

Look how often, for example, we hear our politicians speak of Jamaica's vast reserves in mineable limestone without mentioning that much of our remaining natural forests are standing on those very limestone reserves?

The trick of course is to find that balance - like Belize - between the need for man-made development to cater for a rapidly expanding population and protection of our nature assets. Let us not fool ourselves: if we do not protect the natural environment our life-giving tourist industry will die.

It is in that context that we encourage all our readers to turn to yesterday's Career & Education section of the Sunday Observer and an article by Dr Barry Wade, chairman of the 21-year-old environmental consultancy firm Environmental Solutions Limited.

Dr Wade tells of a so far, highly successful wastewater disposal project using a specially constructed wetland of mainly bulrush reeds. The project at Florence Hall, close to Falmouth, Trelawny and adjacent to the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium is serving a 170-acre housing project that over time will house 3,000 people.

Dr Wade tell us: "The Florence Hall-constructed wetland system is demonstrating yet again that the best way to solve environmental pollution problems (real or potential) is by incorporating the environment itself into the solution."

From this distance, this newspaper is prepared to wait a while longer before passing judgement on the success or otherwise of this specific wetland project in Trelawny.

But we feel certain that if as a nation we are to find that sweet balance between man-made development and protection of the natural environment, carefully thought out paths such as the one taken by the developers at Florence Hall are the ones we will have to follow.

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COMMENTS (8)

4/20/2012

We have been in Belize now for two years. The two things that I would do if iocmng for a period of time is to see at least two to three Mayan ruins and to go diving/snorkeling in the Cayes. The Mayan ruins are located in many parts of the country and you can find guides either right on site or just arrange for someone to take you. In terms of diving/snorkeling that can be arranged easily in the Cayes especially Ambergris Caye and the most interesting place I have heard of so far is Shark and Ray Alley it is a great place to see all kinds of marine life.Take care and have a great time in Belize.

Frederick Williams
2/10/2012

Spoken by people who seem to have never visited Belize. as a Belizean the first I am hearing of the Jamaicans mentioned by John Christian is now. And yes Belize is a proud developing nation who has much to learn but who in her young years seems to be doing much better than most of her older sisters. Belize's economy for your information and her growth took off under the vision of her founding father the Late great Hon. George Price. If you will open your mouth then do so with facts!

John Christian
2/8/2012

You know your country is in trouble when it is being compared to Belieze...up to 1977 their sewer was running in open gutters on the side of the street...and that was in the city..before the move to Belmopan.....their economy started to take off when Jamaicans such as Gordon Coombs...Popsie Polack Bunny Mckenzie and many others migrated there and got things going...so what is it that Jamaicans can go anywhere and get things to happen..while at home they can not get the same results....sad.

Jean Pierre
2/8/2012

cont...@ mark brown …from slavery. You probably have no clue of what I’m talking about. That means, 100 plus years ago, before England would even think of degrading your status to common wealth, Haiti had already fought for its independence. & made the super powers of that time look so bad. Because of that, Haiti is still under punishments. So, go sit down somewhere rude bway. Tcha..!!

Jean Pierre
2/8/2012

@ Mr. mark brown- you said: "A lack of education will do this to any nation... until then we are doomed to be the next Haiti". Are you kidding me? In your case, I think you have too much education with such comment. Do u realize that Jamaica is probably the most violent nation in this western world? I think you are doomed for being yourself. The reason why Jamaica is in a better place than Haiti right now is because of the choices Haiti has made from being the first black country independent...

thor bergers
2/7/2012

so mr james you wanna be big lil brother of usa and canada then.....bigtalk is a trademark that would fit you

james allen
2/6/2012

so donkey,what this has to do with jamaica,as anything happen you types bring up jamaica,like jamaica is competing to reach the level of little islands,thats not ambition..jamaica must reach for the status of the 3 big countries in a little bigman kinda way...then again the donkeys always comparing little barbados and now belize..chek what these little places have in common,most of whats in barbados is built by white british,belxe is being developed by white americans,for retirement..go siddung.

mark brown
2/6/2012

A lack of education will do this to any nation, how can we preserve what we don't understand. The practices resulting in the endangerment of our ecological system has to taught in schools or for that matter be brought to the attention of the general population, until then we are doomed to be the next Haiti.

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How Belize is showing up Jamaica