by Curlan Campbell, NOW Grenada
- Six Senses developers reduce salt pond and mangrove to wasteland
- One narrowed salt pond will be an integral part of resort’s architectural design
- La Sagesse is third most diverse birding site in Grenada
Once a haven for over 70 species of migratory birds, a striving mangrove population and a saltwater pond, bulldozers and other heavy machinery have reduced the area to a wasteland destined for the construction of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
Concerned wildlife conservationist and veterinarian Dr Kenrith Carter, questioning the motive of the developers, posted a video on social media highlighting the extent of deforestation of the mangroves. Concerned citizens also uploaded earlier pictures of the La Sagesse salt pond, comparing them with current images of the area.
For over 30 years since the construction of La Sagesse Nature Centre, there was no major development on the La Sagesse beach until recently when the government and project developers Range Developments, marked the groundbreaking ceremony. The first of two Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is slated to open in 2022, part of the latest luxury hospitality projects in the Caribbean by Range Developments, under the Citizenship by Investment programme.
The developers gave the assurance that over 500 jobs will be created during the lifespan of the project. However, with La Sagesse being the third most diverse birding site in Grenada, Dr Carter and other conservationists are of the view this will in no way compensate for the degradation of the environment.
Take for example the salt ponds which attract a large number of migratory birds that come south for the winter months and hosts many year-round resident bird species. Dr Carter identified some major species of birds including shorebirds, waterfowl, marsh birds, pigeons, doves, gulls, pelicans, mangrove and dry forest species that have made the salt ponds home.
He further explained the significant role the salt ponds and surrounding habitat plays. “This birding site is used by 46% (72/152) of all bird species documented here in Grenada. Salt ponds provide a range of different habitats with their varying levels of salinity. At different depths different water plants, algae and invertebrates exist providing food sources for smaller birds to feed on. The presence of fish supports larger birds like herons, egrets, terns, pelicans, rare kingfisher, and ospreys. The salt ponds are not only feeding grounds, they provide shelter and breeding grounds. They are not only vital to birds, but all wildlife and the mangroves provided coastal protection against natural disasters.”
The conservationist foresees major consequences that the removal of mangrove will have on wildlife species and the environment. “The removal of their habitat is disastrous for our migratory species who spend weeks flying thousands of miles across continents to their known shelter, feeding and resting place. On arrival, migratory species have lost 30-40% of their body weight and it is crucial that they are able to get adequate nutrition before they migrate again to breed. If they are unsuccessful in gaining enough mass, they will die on their journey.”
“The loss of the vegetation around the pond will alter its quality. With the entire pond now being exposed to the hot sun, the water quality will change, and silt from the cleared land will wash into the pond. This will likely cause a change in nutrient levels, resulting in unwanted algae blooms, reducing oxygen levels and killing off fish and invertebrates living in the pond,” Dr Carter said.
NOW Grenada understands that one salt pond will be an integral part of the overall architectural design of the resort, however, sources close to the project claim the developers intend on narrowing the salt pond by reducing its size.
Despite the announcement by Managing Director and Member of the Board of Range Developments, Mohammed Asaria, that all preconstruction studies, environmental assessment, and soil tests were completed prior to the start of construction, Dr Carter is still not convinced that those environmental concerns were taken into consideration. “Based on the complete destruction of the area, I do not believe an adequate, unbiased EIA (environmental impact assessment) was conducted to identify and evaluate the environmental consequences the development would have prior to the clearing of the landscape.”
He is also seeking answers from the Minister for Climate Resilience and the Environment, Simon Stiell, on whether they followed the necessary procedures before commencing construction. Under the Physical Planning and Development Control Act, 2002 it states: ‘The Authority must publish in the Gazette and in one newspaper in general circulation in Grenada a notice of the places where and times when the draft may be inspected and must give such other publicity of the draft and of the right to make representations. Any person may make oral or written representations. The Authority must consider and forward a report on them to the Minister. The Authority must make copies of an approved plan available for inspection at its offices and for sale to the public at a reasonable price. Such provisions also apply to any modification or alteration.
“I do not believe this has been done,” Dr Carter said.
Dr Carter, a current member of the Grenada Birding Club, has played a role in the data collection of bird listings that are shared with international organisations, such as the Caribbean Waterbird Census, and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He reminisced during his childhood utilising the area for recreation and expressed a sense of sadness for what is currently unfolding.
“Growing up as a child, I was always fascinated by birds. We usually went to La Sagesse to see the ducks. Everyone knew the salt pond would be full of different coloured ducks at certain times of the year. Bird watching takes you outdoors into nature and has been a growing hobby in Grenada amongst locals and visitors. It is fascinating to know you can take a 5-minute drive, with your pair of binoculars and bird ID book to see species that people will normally travel thousands of miles to observe. As an avid birder, I have done bird watch checklists in most of Europe, USA, Canada, and even central America; yet the highest number of species I have documented has been here in Grenada. La Sagesse Salt Pond is my top local site for observing and listing bird species,” Dr Carter said.
Mike Meranski, owner of La Sagesse Nature Centre, although not opposed to development coming to the parish of St David, believes that protecting biodiversity and ecosystems can go hand in hand with development. “Development is wonderful, we are excited about it but we are concerned about overdevelopment and the destruction of the ecosystem, so like everything else you have to find the balance. So we just hope that with this development takes place at La Sagesse that they balance the ecological and environmental needs together with the development of the tourism industry.”
Meranski hopes that project developers are aware of these environmental concerns and take steps to ensure that the problem is minimised. “We understand that Six Senses is very environmentally conscious and aware of these things, but ripping up that entire mangrove worries us. And the whole hillside now when the rainy season comes, where is all that mud going to go? It goes into that salt pond and that salt pond won’t have the capacity any longer to filter itself because the mangrove is gone,” he said.
Efforts to reach Minister Stiell for comment on the matter were unsuccessful. An email sent to Range Developments and as of the publication of this article, a generic response received stated that “someone will be in touch with NOW Grenada shortly to assist you further with your requirements.”
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), mangroves are being destroyed around the world 3-5 times greater than the average rate of deforestation causing billions in environmental damages.
Sorry to say bu this Government has to go.
Good Morning Grenada and Grenadians,
Grenada cannot afford to accommodate one more hotel on the Island. We cannot afford the water supply that will be needed for building and maintaining the operational cost of more Carbon Monoxide and pollution that will fill our open space to breathe and live.
With the rising impact of global warming, Li ocation at 12 degrees North of The Equator, deforestation and breeding more Carbon dioxide generated from one more hotel on the Island will lead to more water pollution and early confiscation of Grenadian lives. This is a poor and foolish investment. Money cannot buy health. A man’s health is his wealth.
The above blueprint for construction on the Island, if ever such shoul go into effect, it will be the beginnings of child pain and death sentence for our Grenadian Family. With the Ozone layer thin but thick with air pollution, it will become imperative from the very beginning for all Residents to the typical City of Asian Culture, to wear surgical face mask daily for the rest of their lives to reduce inevitable Black Lungs with Pulmonary Nodules. This will not only hasten dead but the quality of life will be painful and accompanying of wheezing and walking pneumonia. Our hospitals will go under. Who will report the death of our people and our country?
Grenada’s availability of daily water supply will be cut short. Currently, daily water retention on the Island begs for immediate attention. This should be the number one priority of the Government of Grenada for Grenadians.
The basic human God- given right of every human being is to consume clean water daily (55-65 % of our bodies is water) and breath in fresh oxygenated air ( fuel for our brain and heart) everyday.
Technology has already robbed us and this will escalate as we continue to invest more into blue zone light, radiation heat, cell phones,
G-5, electromagnetic waves of claiming more immeasurable lives. No one, with a sound mind will choose Asthmatic death and acid environment to live. The plants will die and so will the animals. We will die faster than the pan epidemic COVID-19 spread worldwide.
Air pollution, water pollution and land pollution will produce acid rain, red rain that will eventually produce death. Forestry is vital for a healthy ecosystem.
Electromagnetic waves, radiation, Carbon Monoxide, mercury, and lead will provide bittersweet drinking water, reducing man to zombiez to bury dead bodies. Instead we should be investing in reducing the Carbon printing. Our environment is already producing Sunsets with thick massive nimbocumulus clouds instead of undulated cumulus clouds.
Every man mus eat to live. Frenada’s Investment must focus on Agriculture and not a destructive plan for foreigners to take over our Lands.
William Wilberforce gave his life to the abolition of Slavery in 1834-1838.
Don’t give me Slavery.
Don’t give me poverty.
Give me Clean Water to drink-
Give me Fresh oxygenated Air to breathe-
OR
Give me Death.
This is very sad. When will man learn that this is just not the way to live, development for self gratification with no regard for other life will ultimately result in man’s failure.
Quick question: When selling our assets to developers, don’t we include clauses which would protect our environment?
A punitive fine must be levied and possibly the confiscation of part of their land. Developers are welcome in Grenada but not those who think they can ride roughshod over our laws.
The prime minister knows that he will soon be out of office, so he’s trying to make that money and secure his and his family future.
Selling off the Country.
We are barely surviving racism all across the World. Grenada is our home, soon will not be welcomed. Foreigners are taking over. What will be left for us?? Nothing??
So what are they doing to Lasaguesse. My God. This is terrible news. As much as I would love to to see improvement there are certain areas that must be kept in it’s natural form. With concern from an accomplished person it means Grenadians/St David’s people are not considered. Not In The Loop. This is awful news. Leave that place Alone!!!!
Terrible. In 2018 we visited Granada from the USA, in part, for birding and bird watching. The mangroves and migratory birds are a natural resource that should be protected and part of what makes Granada special.
I am Grenadian and the Grenadines on the island is the most stupid, and greedy people on the planet, there is a saying these lot will sell their mother for a plate of food and there is food growing everywhere, their hotels made deals with the prime minister now there got deals no tax for 50 years, now who is fooling who here, black Grenadines can’t get these deals,
I am trying to set up a grocery store there link it to the one in the uk and the soon open in Canada, do you think they will allow me to brings into Grenada without taxing the eyeball of me.
Greed and only greed has made this happen. Removing mangroves which is a natural barrier/infrastructure against the elements of the sea not to mention all the natural wildlife that took refuge there for hundreds of years is WRONG on SO MANY LEVELS! Grenada has ENOUGH hotels to accommodate tourists. Is the government of Grenada not aware of climate change? Right now hotels are EMPTY around the world due to coronovirus who knows how long this will continue? [Smh]
Horrendous, and very sad. we’re planning on visiting Grenada later this year. We chose Grenada as it is apparently one of the least developed and most natural of the Caribbean islands. Booked into a small, family run hotel and hoping to see lots of wildlife. Not building developments…