The Bahamas National Trust has to step in once again to prevent the destruction of one of New Providence’s protected areas. Wilson Pond, located off Fire Trail Road, is in danger of being bulldozed as a result of a land-clearing exercise.
Reportedly, a woman has been given government approval to clear the land for agricultural and construction purposes. But BNT’s Director of National Parks, Eric Carey, said a letter has been sent to the Office of the Prime Minister in a bid to put an end to any approvals that had been given.
“Our desire is that we stop what is going on,” said Mr Carey. He believes that this and other such incidences like it could be avoided if only more people become educated on land boundaries in the country, inclusive of those persons who are working in government agencies.
“The tractor was already pushing the debris into the pond, so the pond itself was already being physically impacted. Its edge had been breached. I know the lady has legitimate documents from the Office of the Prime Minister saying that she has two acres somewhere in the area, but our problem is and my knowledge of the area and physical lay of the land, indicates that there is a 100 ft. wide BEC easement and there is no land in this area for this lady to claim. It really amazes me that a government surveyor could tell somebody to start pushing to clear land that is clearly a wetland area,” Mr Carey said. He noted that not only the woman had made an environmental degradation mistake, but also other persons have also started to encroach on the land.
Said Mr Carey: “What I see has happened is that some persons have themselves encroached on the Pond and have proceeded to fill in land proceeding west and so where this lady thought her boundaries started is now this new illegal boundary that someone has established, and what that means now is that she is going west in an area that is pretty close to the pond, very narrow and impacting already the wetland system. The pond is clearly National Trust property.”
Mr Carey said that this is not the first time that the Trust has had to step in to protect protected areas.
Recently, BNT took action against a company that was illegally dumping in the area of the 1,200-acre Bonefish, located in the south central part of New Providence. Mr Carey, noted that the Harold and Wilson Pond is one of the most important areas for bird life in New Providence. He said it is an area the Trust is currently trying to develop into a proper national park, with boardwalks, viewing towers, platforms.
It is Mr Carey’s hope that a meeting be held with all the parties concerned, inclusive of those from the Department of Survey, so that an understanding can be reached as to where the lady can be relocated.
By: KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, The Nassau Guardian
