Galapagos Islands ‘facing crisis’
Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa has declared the
Galapagos Islands, home to dozens of endangered species, at risk and a national
priority for action.
The islands, Ecuador’s top tourist draw, were suffering an environmental and
social crisis, he said. Mr Correa’s call came as a UN delegation was visiting
to see if the islands should be declared “in danger”. The Galapagos
Islands were made a World Heritage Site 30 years ago for their unique plant and
animal life. “We are pushing for a series of actions to overcome the huge
institutional, environmental and social crises in the islands,” Mr Correa
said, adding that these problems were the result of years of neglect by
previous governments. He did not detail the measures, but indicated Ecuador
would consider suspending some tourism permits, Reuters news agency reported.
Outcry
The islands, located some 1,000km (620 miles) off Ecuador’s mainland, are home
to an array of species, including giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and
marine iguanas. About 20,000 people, working mainly in fishing and tourism,
also live there. The Galapagos Islands inspired naturalist Charles Darwin and
helped him develop his theory of evolution. Last month, several rangers of the
ecological reserve in the islands clashed with members of the Ecuadorean Armed
Forces over what the rangers say was illegal fishing in protected waters. The
incident provoked an outcry in Ecuador as it illustrated for many the practices
which are damaging the site. Mr Correa announced that a number of military
officials had been suspended pending an investigation. However, ecologists say
the problems in the Galapagos run much deeper than the government has acknowledged.
They fear that a rapid increase in the human population and the gradual
introduction of external species of flora and fauna are threatening the entire
ecosystem on the islands. Representatives of the UN’s scientific, educational
and cultural body, Unesco, have travelled to its research station on the
Galapagos to inspect the state of conservation there. Last month, a senior
Unesco official warned of threats to the “fragile and delicate”
ecology of the Galapagos.