Adelaide MP Michael Halkitis told The Guardian on Sunday that various efforts have been made to clean the beach up on a regular basis but said some “visitors” don’t seem to “care for the environment.” “It’s just a problem with Bahamians, they go on the beach and no matter how, much you preach about it, they just leave their garbage right there,” MP Halkitis said.
He added that the state of the beach deteriorates during the summer when Bahamians flock to the area. He also pointed out that piles of trash can be found scattered around the beauty spot.
“Every Sunday, if you tour the beach after they [beachgoers] have left, you will see pure garbage, its just people not taking pride in the environment, it’s sad,” he said. “It’s nothing new, all we do is try and deal with it as best we can.”
MP Halkitis added that because these beaches are in secluded areas, unlike Goodman’s Bay or Saunder’s Beach, people tend to take a “don’t care attitude” when it comes to keeping them, clean. He added that despite numerous efforts to reach out to beachgoers, residents were left to pick up the pieces of (litter from) litterbugs.
“Adelaide has the problem, Coral Harbour has the problem and Jaws Beach has the problem. It’s very disappointing,” he said. “About two years ago we tried to do an educational program where we were encouraging people to take pride and take their garbage home, but nobody cares. “We can go and pick it up, but next week its there again, only there’s more.”
He said the Coastal Cleanup Committee, which includes student volunteers, will launch a massive cleanup operation on western beaches on Sept 17.
This litter problem has escalated since 2003 when the Department of Environmental” Health started a cleanup campaign at Coral Habour Beach.
According to an article published in The Nassau Guardian on Aug 13, 2003, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ron Pinder said that the ministry was clearing the surrounding area and removing underbrush from around the trees, so that the beach could be more visible from the road.
By IANTHIA SMITH, Guardian Staff Reporter
