The Planners Association of Dominica is calling on the relevant Government Authorities, in particular the Planning Division, Forestry Division, Environmental Health Department, and the Fisheries Division, to take urgent action to halt the current degradation and destruction of our invaluable Indian River Wetlands.
The Indian River is a slow-moving, winding river in the town of Portsmouth with swamp trees (bwa mang) Pterocarpus Officinalis along its banks. Its wetlands are said to contain the best stands of freshwater swamp forest in the Caribbean and are a natural habitat for crabs, birds, iguanas, and orchids.
The Indian River boat rides are one of Dominica’s tourist attractions and a major source of livelihood for many town residents. Some of the scenes of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest were filmed at the Indian River. Part of the trail ruins of Dominica’s only railway runs along the route of the Indian River.
Today, this precious resource is gradually being destroyed by a private landowner. The freshwater vegetation is being cut down and the swamp backfilled with derelict vehicles and loose soil, while the residents seem helpless to stop him.
Swamp/wetlands are natural flood mitigation mechanisms therefore reducing the retention capacity will likely increase the flood risk in the area. The soil used as backfill material will be washed into the river and eventually into the marine environment during heavy rains, causing siltation of the river and coastal waters. This is a significant issue given our national drive towards climate resilience.
Dominica is signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. CBD covers all possible domains that are directly or indirectly related to biodiversity and its role in development, ranging from science, politics, and education to agriculture, business, culture, and much more.
Sections 56 – 59 of the Physical Planning Act (2002), gives the Minister the power to declare the Indian River Wetlands an environmental protection area and to establish the necessary regulatory framework.
An Order made under subsection (57) (1) may – (a) designate any part of an environmental protection area as being an area in which, subject to the grant of development permission, only certain development or classes of development may be permitted; (b) prohibit any development within the area or any part thereof, and (c) authorize the carrying out in the environmental protection area of such works and the doing on the land of such other things as may be expedient for the protection of the area as an environmental protection area.
Under Section 59. (1), the Planning Authority may prepare or cause to be prepared an environmental protection area management plan with respect to any area declared to be an environmental protection area under section 57.
The Planners Association of Dominica views this destructive action in the Indian River Watershed as a matter of grave concern and calls for urgent action by all concerned to halt this practice.
The Planners Association of Dominica is a registered Non-Profit Company
Email: [email protected]
Has the Prime minister yours truly been bought off by the land owner? soon the beauty of Dominica forests and prime beautiful real estate will be no more Dominica will be a desert island like Antigua. Money and greed has a way the PM minister yours truly should be questioned and a check of his bank account for any large unexplained deposits should be made.
My understanding is that the Indian River and environs were declared a National Park many years ago, in which case this activity is already against the law and should be prosecuted accordingly.
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There are environmental laws and planning laws being violated. File a court injunction have him cleanup or fined. Only way to stop and change behavior. I do not understand how a country laws are violated and folks do not seem to understand nor realize what is required to change. We just have all kinds of groups popping up and making a seen about the Same ole Sh…..t then we go in our corner and bougoney. Sue the darn planning division and ministry of health. They ain’t doing thier work. These folks get paid by state and not doing thier darn jobs. That is no different from stealing from the people of this country. People need to get serious with action not complaining.
This has been on going under the watchful eye of skerro and now Vince Henderson, top labour party and government officials. How does this contribute to the first resilient nation in the world? And now with the un general assembly passing resolution 48/13, making it a human right to having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, does this not make this action a violation of human rights, especially since our government is a signatory to this resolution
It’s only lip service! Endless propaganda and rhetoric to justify their miserable existence.
it is only lip service if we allow to be lip service!
It’s been lip service for over 20 years now. We still allow it! Some even encourage it! We need a miracle to rescue our country.
Thank you Planners Association of Dominica for highlighting this issue. I’m rooting for you. It would be interesting to know the identity of this “private landowner.” I read on another forum, the sad commentary of an Honourable Minister allegedly using government vehicles and equipment to have his henchmen allegedly cut down forest trees on government land so he can allegedly build a family bar. If this is true, it would seem like the same ones who are are charged with enforcing environmental laws are the same ones cutting the trees and damaging the environment. And then, they talk about resilience and sustainable development. Where is the sustainability in dredging our wetlands? There is a price to pay for dredging wetlands.
Juanita, we have to stop referring to these people as ‘Honourable’. They are the most DISHONOURABLE people.
They lie, cheat, tief, blaspheme, menace, debase, corrupt, etc.
Why don’t you bums play the lottery so you bums can win the jack pot like the man from Tarish Pit did? Damn.
YOU for sure must have thought you won the lottery when your master handed over that first envelope containing 50 EC. Tell us, what did you splash out on?
This nonsense has to stop, enough is enough
We are a truly myopic society. We refuse to see the big picture, and are always so concerned about ourselves only. Destruction of our habitats and wildlife is a dangerous practice, and once these places are gone, it takes years to re-establish, if we can do so.
Please people, keep in mind what makes Dominica unique and pleasing to us, and let us do everything in our power to keep it so.
Wow this is crazy. I went up there about 3 weeks ago, did not realize right next door, this is going on. At what point is this going to be addressed? Am not even concerned about the tourism aspect of it for foreigners, am looking at it as pleasure to treasure for us local.
If there are two things a government should always prioritize, are its people (human resources) and the environment.
Here are the incontrovertible facts. This DLP led government has insulted and pauperised the people. So much so that most resident Dominicans rely on the government for their very survival.
Dominica is more blessed environmentally than any other country in the entire Caribbean region. Lush, green vegetation, fruit plants aplenty, many rivers, hot water lakes, waterfalls, and other spectacular and unique natural features, adorn the landscape of this jewel, which is surrounded by the stunningly beautiful Atlantic Ocean and the shimmering Caribbean Sea. It seems like God to
literally took His own hands and construct Dominica.
A nation that destroy its soils (environment) destroys itself. This oligarchy is a colossal failure on all fronts.
Name and shame the landowner. Bigger question is, what will the government do about it.
If the owner is a Labour supporter and chances are he/she is, nothing the government will do about it. If it’s an opposition reporter he might get arrested, charged with some bogus nonsense and then they will desperately look for a judge that would stand for their nonsense. One way or another, the problem remains…
*supporter*, not reporter
Who cannot hear will feel. Nature Isle my posterior.
What Ian Douglas saying about that? Press the politicians!
There needs to be more education, concern and appropriate action concerning protection of Dominca.S Environment especially in this time ofclimate change..even the Roseau River is disappearing and the river bed looks now more grassed than filled with water
Roosevelt is an existential threat to every aspect of Dominican life and livelihoods. He is a destructive force.
The man has destroyed: *rivers *wetlands *marine areas * the primary, secondary and tertiary industries *economy *healthcare *middle class *forests *national birds *manufacturing *agriculture *close knit families *electoral system *infrastructure *public library, it’s just too many things to list.
Cancel Roosevelt and most of Dominica’s problems will fade away. Get rid of him Dominicans. The man is the country’s biggest liability.
You are a lucky guy he has not destroyed you yet with all those things he keeps destroying. It is very damning that all you all do is wait for the opportunity to arise to hop on the Supreme Leader’s back that makes no cents. He will not be moved and will not be removed. Keep complaining.
The end is very near, D ip S tick. Question is what will you do when it comes? I suppose jumping straight away on the winners bandwagon in the hope there might be a few scraps for you.
This is an alarming situation which has major consequences for life, property and livelihoods for the people of Portsmouth. Wetlands once destroyed are one of the most difficult environments to bring back.
One of the most difficult environments to bring back. Says who? like you are so concerned about the environment., Man, give me a break. Skerrit is here to stay. Bottom line.
Reading this press release literally raised my pressure..this is an unbelievably sickening and shameful act of “eco-terrorism” being carried out by this landowner..
And it’s equally sickening that “the powers that be” sit idly by and allow this wanton destruction of this beautiful and important natural resource.
So sad for my pretty little Dominica..dem “big man” just there taking advantage of you..molesting you..and nobody saying nothing..
Welcome to the most resilient nature island of the Caribbean, lead by the most resilient PM of the world. Another world class performance for true! We are in urgent need of another ‘workshop’ with all ‘stakeholders’ involved. More world leading stupid talk and the problem will just disappear.
I give credit to the Planners Association of Dominica for raising awareness, but surely the Government’s Planning Division should have taken action to halt the current degradation and destruction.
It begs the question, why haven’t they done so.
This is abominable wanton destruction, a total disregard of the environment and belies the very values our government claims to protect and safeguard. How can this be? Do not tell me that the local politicians are oblivious to this as many of them will have driven past this man made wasteland and health hazard. What an advert for our green and beautifully pristine island this is? This is beyond a joke. It is criminal behaviour and should be dealt with accordingly, with the offender made to clean up and reinstate the landscape to its original condition forthwith if we are to be taken serious by the international community. You think this really impresses visitors and guests at nearby luxury resorts such as Kempinski or Secret Bay? I am a proud Dominican and situations like these make me angry and ashamed. Please, get your finger out Roosevelt, you run things so make it happen,
OMG…are u kidding me? Is that what the man who uses helicopters to land in Possie during covid to show his power is doing? I am headed to Possie to take a first hand look. To put it quite bluntly, this CABAL and its enablers MUST GO! What is it going to take these Mouton-Domnichien to stand up for once for their own well being? Ross gone, no action! Now the cabalist drying the Indian River, no action!
Are the people of Portsmouth just going to sit by and keep repeating;” Is labour I born so is labour I will die?” Where is Ian Doug-after-last in all this mess? Has he handed over his responsibilities to the helicopter riding cabalist or the malfunctioning Finance Minister? Possie people need to wake up and smell the darn coffee or they will forever remain the laughing stock constituency in Dca.
Mike and Rossie must be turning in their grave. That guy Ian he have no back bone, when you have a yes man on your side he don’t give a rats behind about what happen to his people he represent, just give him run and tell him in advance when to stand and say yes. What a waist. Portsmouth is the most under develope place in Dominica plenty space for everything you can think of, first class marina , stadium at bengiman park ,government building with everything in it to serve the enter northern district . the first real mall where visitor can come and shop , great night life, supper restaurant, and many more . People Ian can not see that after 22years just give mister his run and he will be ok. Skerrit ,austrie, savarin, levi , all of them from the same area. Ian go by MaBoyd i leave a rum there for you it’s payed for. Your Waist.
The nature island of the Caribbean, smh other forms of destruction occurs all over the island btw