The new development project known as The Hamilton has ruthlessly and ignorantly destroyed much of the Nelson’s Spring Wetland Area. They have further destroyed the natural beauty of Nevis in exchange for economic citizen schemes (among them getting a Nevis passport) for distant foreigners whose motivations should be subject to rigorous scrutiny. This wetland is one of the most important and visible wetland environments on Nevis which is home to many forms of wildlife, particularly resident and migrating birds. The area has yet to be totally destroyed but has been reduced notably. A wetland is not just the water component of an area but rather the entire landscape and ecological community that depends upon that area. Unfortunately they do not realize or care that size matters: When a wetland area is reduced it means that certain animal and particularly bird species will no longer use it. It becomes too small for their food, nesting, and security requirements. One does not have to completely destroy a wetland to destroy it. Where is the government in all of this? Does not care? Or is it ignorance? Is it not an important job for the government to protect important and irreplaceable natural assets on Nevis? The former government confirmed to all of us that they cared little about protecting the natural resources of Nevis. A prime example was the complete destruction by bulldozing of the wetlands at Paradise Beach on a section of Pinney’s Beach just south of the St. Thomas Elementary School. It appears that the new government also does not take this vital responsibility seriously. We had so much hope that things under the new government would change for the better. We are learning that it is bad business as usual. Further generations of Nevisians, particularly the children, will inherit a formerly beautiful island with its special heritage and environment ignored and destroyed. So Nevis slowly becomes a place without a soul. ___________________________ About the author: Mark Michael Ludlow resides part time on Nevis and is a PhD student at The University of Wales – Trinity St. David in Wales, United Kingdom. Academically he is an Ornitho- archaeologist. He is also the founder of the Nevis Ornithological Society. The work of The Nevis Ornithological Society can be seen on their website – birdsofnevis.com – including photographs and articles about the birds of Nevis.
