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Tourism and a Tropical Island Rainforest
April 2003

By Toni Frederick & Rosita Leeflang, CERN correspondents

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Antigua's tropical forests are watersheds -- vital to replenishing water resources in a water-scarce island. The forests also have potentials for ecotourism. The vegetation is predominantly dogwood and turpentine trees. Soldier crabs chase each other over your feet as you trek along the park.

But these forests face serious threats from developers, as the example of Wallings rainforest shows. Located in the volcanic region of Antigua, this is a place of hope and frustration.

The British colonialists cut down almost all of Antigua's forests except those in the very remote areas. The colonialists began replanting, nearly a hundred years ago. But even with their effort, the forest is a shadow of its former glory.

"The original vegetation, comprising mainly of silk, cotton, mahogany and whitewood, has been destroyed," says Junior Prosper, a tour guide with the Antiguan Environmental Awareness Group (EAG). "All that is left at the forest is secondary vegetation."

Not many Antiguans know of the history of the forests but they come in their numbers to enjoy it. Some 20 thousand visitors pass through the forest each year. Foreign visitors come in search of the ecotourism experience, while locals come to get away from the hustle and bustle of their daily schedules.

The forest is home to the 100-year-old Wallings Reservoir built to provide water to people in surrounding villages. The reservoir is a huge attraction for many people who visit the forest. The forest is also home to many species of birds some of which are only found in Antigua.

But conservationists are worried that the beauty of the Wallings rainforest is threatened by the action of the very people it benefits. There is a particular plant that seems to draw the attention of people because of its economic benefits. Locally known as wattle, this plant, which covers a large portion of the forest, is cut and used for building fishponds. Some people also cut it for sale to bakers who use it for their wood ovens. The activities of these poachers are frustrating the efforts of the EAG and the forestry division.

The EAG is currently working with the forestry division to design ways to preserve the natural beauty of the forest, says Prosper. One of the things the EAG plans to do is ensure that wardens are placed around the forest to keep away those who come to cut down trees. Some people argue that this a tough task considering the fact that there are Antiguans who see the forest as their source of livelihood.

The way out, says Prosper, is to enforce the laws. Antigua has a legislation that makes it illegal to cut or remove trees from the rainforest, but it is not enforced. Even though the Wallings rainforest has been declared a National Park, it is presently not protected, says Prosper.

While waiting for the government to take action, the EAG is doing some enlightenment campaigns and relying on the public to do the right thing. It remains to be seen what impact the actions of conservationists will have on the preservation of the Wallings rainforest.

This article is based on a transcription of Island Beat Radio.

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