Dear Editor,
There have been several media reports concerning the removal of vast quantities of sand from certain sections of the Negril beach area and it being transported to the Ocho Rios area by people connected to a hotel investment group involved in the hotel construction business on the north coast. Instructively, the Negril Chamber of Commerce has publicly raised the issue concerning this activity and has vociferously called on the government agencies with legal authority to stop this action.
The removal of sand from the Negril shoreline will undoubtedly have a massive negative impact and effect on the Negril beach landscape and must be stopped immediately. Clearly, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has not been adequately policing the beach areas in Negril for, all too frequently, we are hearing reports of sand mining and removal taking place in Negril, with no sound of legal action taken. This is unacceptable!
The Government and its associated enforcement agencies have a major responsibility to prevent this from taking place and to prosecute those responsible for flouting the law in this respect.
It is not the first time that the Negril Chamber of Commerce has publicly complained about sand mining within the Negril beach area, and it is prime time that NEPA proceeds to stop this appalling activity in Negril and other sections of the island.
We cannot allow sand mining to destroy and damage our precious, unique, historic and famous beaches. The mining minister must step in now and take the action warranted.
Last year I took two United States scientists — friends of mine — to a Negril beach and they remarked how natural and enjoyable this strip of beach was. They spoke of the utmost need to prevent widespread pollution of our beaches, especially the Negril strip. They indicated that Jamaica has among the best quality beaches in the world. Let us not destroy this resource.
By the way, why was the Puerto Seco beach privatised?
Robert Dalley
St James
robertdalley1@hotmail.com
There have been several media reports concerning the removal of vast quantities of sand from certain sections of the Negril beach area and it being transported to the Ocho Rios area by people connected to a hotel investment group involved in the hotel construction business on the north coast. Instructively, the Negril Chamber of Commerce has publicly raised the issue concerning this activity and has vociferously called on the government agencies with legal authority to stop this action.
The removal of sand from the Negril shoreline will undoubtedly have a massive negative impact and effect on the Negril beach landscape and must be stopped immediately. Clearly, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has not been adequately policing the beach areas in Negril for, all too frequently, we are hearing reports of sand mining and removal taking place in Negril, with no sound of legal action taken. This is unacceptable!
The Government and its associated enforcement agencies have a major responsibility to prevent this from taking place and to prosecute those responsible for flouting the law in this respect.
It is not the first time that the Negril Chamber of Commerce has publicly complained about sand mining within the Negril beach area, and it is prime time that NEPA proceeds to stop this appalling activity in Negril and other sections of the island.
We cannot allow sand mining to destroy and damage our precious, unique, historic and famous beaches. The mining minister must step in now and take the action warranted.
Last year I took two United States scientists — friends of mine — to a Negril beach and they remarked how natural and enjoyable this strip of beach was. They spoke of the utmost need to prevent widespread pollution of our beaches, especially the Negril strip. They indicated that Jamaica has among the best quality beaches in the world. Let us not destroy this resource.
By the way, why was the Puerto Seco beach privatised?
Robert Dalley
St James
robertdalley1@hotmail.com