We received this article from an unknown Canadian who calls himself “The Travel Guy”…
“Someone has to be Joking”
My mother lamented about the history of Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary when we visited there last year. At 70 plus years, although Graeme Hall was a part of her history she had no idea what it looked like. She knew
that her family and many other families, in good and bad times had eaten fish from there over 60 yrs ago.
The re-development of Graeme Hall by a Canadian Investor brought to life a Jewel of Barbados History. Our family was completely amazed by what has been professionally done there to educate, preserve and conserve.
I reside in Canada and my connection to Barbados is through the Nation on line and my yearly visits. I keep a close eye on the pulse of Barbados Business and the incredible positive impact that Canadians have and
have had and are having in Barbados. Often I am impressed, yet I can also often laugh at the folly that is the mix of Barbados business and politics.
How is it possible this government has the absolute boldness to use its planning department to consider a Water Park in the very area and watershed that could likely put this fragile ecosystem in jeopardy?
The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary redevelopment took many years of work, hoops and hurdles to jump through not to mention over 10million U.S invested. All these efforts were expended with the long term dream to preserve a critical green space for future generations of Barbadians and tourists. What has been given to Barbadians is a site that tries to balance
conservation, education, research and eco-tourism on what could be a self-sustaining basis ( only 10% used for eco-tourism ). How is it possible for the PM on Brass Tacks to compare the two as similar development
applications? Has he ever been there?
How is it possible for an environmental impact study to be conducted and presented with a complete absence of real transparency, which answers all the important questions? How can a supposed experienced American businessman have paid more than $100,000 for a very shoddy report unless it comes with planning approvals in place?
Canadians have billions of dollars invested in and through Barbadian companies. Is this the kind of abusive and mixed message the Barbados government means to give to Canadians? As a Barbadian/Canadian I am saddened and I question if our government has lost its moral compass to govern or do they or certain people who are entrusted with our future have a short term agenda that does not serve the long term aspirations of the people of Barbados?
The Travel Guy
photo: School Trip to the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary in Barbados. Photo borrowed from the GHNS website here. Somehow, we don’t think they will mind.
1 Comment
July 25, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Good question whether the PM has ever visited Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary. They should hold a meeting there in his honour so that he can see what a tastfully developed oasis of beauty he risks destroying if he overrules the experts and decides the Caribbean Splash venture is “in the nation’s best interest.” Talk about selling our birthright for a mess of potage!