Mangroves Under Pressure as Development Expands on Caye Caulker

For years, Caye Caulker has balanced growth with the natural beauty that makes the island unique. But tonight, village leaders say that balance is under threat. The Caye Caulker Village Council is raising concerns over seawall construction and development in the island’s western mangrove zone, warning that the mangroves serve as a critical natural barrier against erosion and storm surge. The council is also cautioning that unchecked private development could limit public access to the waterfront. Instead, officials are calling for a more sustainable approach that protects both the environment and the rights of Belizeans. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Caye Caulker is facing rapid development that some residents say threatens the island’s charm and sustainability. In May, the government announced a six-month limit on building heights above three stories and is supporting traffic management efforts, favoring golf carts over larger vehicles, however, the Caye Caulker Village Council believes that more can be done to balance development with conservation. Chairlady Seleny Villanueva-Pott shared that approval was recently granted to Quality Poultry Products Limited for the construction of a seawall and silt extraction in the western area of the island.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chair, Caye Caulker Village Council

“This one primarily was of interest to the entire council because it’s in the middle of the village on the west side. To have dredging done fifty feet on the west side is very close to the island. What that means is when we have hurricanes on that side, we expect to see bigger waves coming in. We don’t know what kind of surge we will expect. The last time we had Hurricane Keith, we saw surges of about maybe six to ten feet. These are legitimate concerns of community members as well that we have to address.”

 

Villanueva-Pott further explains that the surrounding mangroves act as a natural buffer to storms. She says the council has been working with the company to explore alternatives, including sourcing silt from other areas of the island while preserving the mangroves.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

“We also said to them, consider looking at preserving the mangroves. Prune the mangroves. That area is already easily flooded we were telling them look at other alternative ways where we could put in other newer measures perhaps. What we’ve seen with seawall is that while it will preserve the sand in your area, your neighbor down the coast will have erosion.”

 

Villanueva-Pott also shared plans to establish a marketplace in the area where the dredging activities are underway.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

“We’ve seen other companies who’ve done development where they’ve purchased sand, maybe from the dredging company who has dredged elsewhere or farther out. That’s something that they could consider. We’re also telling them, have some consideration, look at the mangroves, see what you can incorporate in that area, because that area is very low-lying.”

 

In response to the council’s concerns, Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, issued a letter stating that he has no objection to the project which includes dredging approximately one thousand, five hundred cubic yards to create an access channel, filling part of the public reserve, constructing a seawall, and installing a security fence. Perez writes that the initiative will support local economic growth and advises compliance with all terms set by the Mining Department. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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