As more and more people come to our shores to work and play we can see parts of our environment slowly slipping away.
Development is an inherent problem that comes with growth.
But we can do something to help nature.
That’s the intent of a discussion paper tabled in the Legislative Assembly last week.
If approved, the National Conservation Bill will do much to protect the environment while ensuring the sustainability of our future growth and development.
Unfortunately it is the second time such legislation has been introduced.
Former Minister of Environment McKeeva Bush tried to get conservation legislation passed in 2002, but the public basically ignored the proposal and offered no feedback.
We hope the public has become more educated about environmental issues since that time.
If we don’t do all we can to protect our environment, we’ll lose it.
We’re already losing indigenous plants and trees to massive development throughout the islands.
Trees, brush and small animal habitats are being bulldozed in every district to make room for subdivisions, condominiums and businesses.
While the National Trust constantly pleads with developers to contact them before cutting through brush so native species can be identified, they are rarely consulted.
And we have to remember that what we do on the land also has an effect on the sea.
One of the things that brought investors to our small country was the beauty of our islands.
Anyone who was here 10 or more years ago can tell you that the environment of Grand Cayman especially has been drastically altered with development.
The proposed legislation also sets hefty penalties for anyone violating the legislation once it becomes law.
Caymanians and residents have 60 days to offer feedback on the proposed law.
Read our story about it on page 1 of today’s newspaper and educate yourselves further by going to www.gov.ky to read Tourism Minister Charles Clifford’s white paper.
Don’t let this proposal meet the same fate as the one in 2002. Offer Government your thoughts on this legislation.
Once again the Government is giving us a chance to speak our minds about a proposed law.
Speak up and make a difference.
If we don’t start protecting Cayman we won’t have anything to leave future generations.
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