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'STOP the destruction of our mangroves!’ – VG residents

Concerned residents of the Virgin Gorda Community are making an appeal to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources Dr the Hon Kedrick D. Pickering to urgently step in and stop the destructive moving of mangroves in Valley, Virgin Gorda (VG). Photo: Team of Reporters
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Concerned residents of the Virgin Gorda Community are making an appeal to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources Dr the Hon Kedrick D. Pickering to urgently step in and stop the destructive moving of mangroves in Valley Virgin Gorda (VG).

“Help, help help! Please stop these people from destroying the last bit of our mangroves in the Valley, Dr, Pickering this is what you have to be seeing… stop it now," wailed a desperate resident.

The resident said that he and several others approached the locals who are said to be responsible for the operations but upon their investigations found out that Natural Resources, Fisheries and Conservation and Town and Country Planning were not aware of the situation.

They said that on one instance they were told that Police on Virgin Gorda were sent to the area to investigate but those responsible were not at the scene at the time.

"I passed back there and they ripping away the mangrove, help! I care about our protected areas and our environment… the omen to this is very bad. Can somebody please stop this destruction now?" appealed the resident.

Several calls were made in an attempt by this news site to ‎contact Conservation and Fisheries to no avail. However Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Natural Resources Mr Ronald Berkley-Smith responded. "No one, no matter who it is, has the right to be destroying our mangroves," he said.

Berkeley-Smith said that immediate steps are being taken to intervene and deal with the matter very seriously. He also thanked the residents for their vigilance.

19 Responses to “'STOP the destruction of our mangroves!’ – VG residents”

  • bb (11/07/2014, 17:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow
  • high tide (11/07/2014, 19:46) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Years to grow seconds to destroy think about it
  • Yes (11/07/2014, 21:44) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    Those don't look like mangroves to me.
  • pelican (11/07/2014, 22:24) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    mangroves are the first line of defense in hurricanes and hosting fish nurseries and fish migrations. Isn't this what Pickering was trying to promote as he otherwise pushes for bigger airport etc? These violators have to be found and fined. No permits. Why? Where is the permission? This is disgusting. Thank you to the residents for blowing the whistle!!! It takes courage!!
  • bvi (11/07/2014, 22:33) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This must be stopped!! Let us see if Pickering going to all them to continue. We. As VG RESIDENTS WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS PICKERING. YOU SAVING SHARKS. SHARKS AND OTHER FISH NEED THE MANGROVES TOO TO SURVIVE AND MULTIPLY. STOP THIS NOW!!!!!!
  • pat (11/07/2014, 22:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the ol' secret bulldozer and back hoe. Gee, no one knows who is running it and what the project is. Those people who know are equally as guilty of destruction as those driving the equipment. Stop!
    • Crying Shame (12/07/2014, 11:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      They know whose machine it is an who the land belong to. Let's see if this will make a difference to Pickering. Stop this now.
  • JACK BE STILL (11/07/2014, 23:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is the done deal minister?
  • Kidding (12/07/2014, 06:07) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    A swamp is a swamp is a swamp
    • pat (12/07/2014, 22:49) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      a swamp breeds life up the chain. what an ignorant statement, kidding or not.
  • What am I Missing Here? (12/07/2014, 08:44) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    A pic showing the actual mangroves near the sea which were bulldozed will help to support both the resident(s) claim and this article. Mangroves grow in some of our coastal areas in the sand at the edge of the shoreline. This pic is of a terrain not suitable for mangroves.
    • dog (12/07/2014, 22:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      you could probably say that about mangrove in sea cow bay. it is victim of land fill around it for years, but it is still mangrove. even if it wasn't the fact remains there is probably no permit or notification of town and country or DCF. It is wrong, ignorant and shows how people ignore any procedure which ultimately helps the community at large. This is selfish. Of course, unless they ultimately know someone in government who can override any laws.
  • Well (12/07/2014, 10:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't be a jack@ss, there are different species of mangrove!
  • location (13/07/2014, 11:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't live on Virgin Gorda anymore so can someone confirm exactly which area this is? My guess is between the boatyard and fishers cove.
    • vgguy (13/07/2014, 12:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      yes u are right
      • to vgguy from location (13/07/2014, 17:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Thank you for confirming. I am over 40 yrs old and that area has never been touched in my lifetime as far as I can remember. Who in the hello would be so insensitive and disrespectful to do such a thing. That land was raped enough with the filling in of the pond to create the marina and boatyard in the 60's. The destruction of the last few remaining mangroves MUST be stopped. No development or expansion is more important than preserving that area which is so vital in protecting that coastal area from erosion.
  • VG (13/07/2014, 12:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is on the south of Fischers Cove . It is between Fischers cove and the rock cafe. You are too far north
  • one who cares (14/07/2014, 09:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The swamp was compromised a few years ago by being filled with boulders. This caused drainage backup, and now water gathers on the road by Fischers Cove, and the yards of the homes across the road from Fischers Cove. The further destruction of the mangroves will cause even more drainage problems.

    Please leave what Mother Nature designed alone!
  • Nature (16/07/2014, 09:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm in full support of the efforts to save our mangroves. Mr. Minister, the ball is in your court.


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