fp Turks and Caicos

TCI Protected Areas

In 1992, a total of 33 Protected Areas were set aside for the conservation and preservation of the Turks and Caicos Islands' natural resources. The sites were chosen for outstanding natural and cultural attributes and designated as National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries and Historic Sites.

Environmentally, Protected Areas preserve a mosaic of natural marine, wetland and terrestrial habitats, which in turn protect the plants and animals that exist within them. Economically, protecting habitats and the resources they provide ensures long-term financial sustainability.

 “For Chalk Sound National Park we are of the view that the negative impacts of further residential development around the periphery of the national park (waste management, effluent, landscaping, runoff, jetties, boat traffic) is likely to significantly alter the ecology of this site, particularly given the limited nature of water exchange between it and the open sea,” Nautilus Consultants Ltd. said in a September 2006 report to the Turks and Caicos Islands government.

Despite the low risk of oil from the catastrophic BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico reaching Turks and Caicos Islands’ waters, the government wants to be prepared.

On June 18, a wide cross-section of government departments held an oil spill contingency planning meeting at the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics conference room in Grand Turk to examined the latest advisory for the Caribbean on any likely impact from the oil spill, discussing the best response options for the TCI.

The government is about to take the first step toward reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing energy efficiency and conservation by promoting energy efficient technologies and usage.

The Ministry of Environment and District Administration and Department of Environment and Coastal Resources are seeking proposals to develop a path toward greater energy efficiency in the next 5-10 years.

Beginning June 1, a new law on marine pollution and sanctions for violators will take effect.

The attempted creation of the “Star Island” marina and condominiums on Mangrove Cay shoal in Leeward Channel was stopped by the courts and an environmental group, but not before it destroyed thousands of conch and other marine life and silted nearby reefs.

What’s left is a barren patch of sand surrounded by rocks measuring a little more than 300 metres in circumference.

But thanks to nature and scientific research, life has sprung anew on the island in the Princess Alexandra National Park.

While the world was celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the TCI was celebrating its 2nd annual “TCI Shines” campaign.

The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources initiated a number of activities to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 — from school visits to mangroves planting to street and beach clean-ups.

LRaye Cinema in Providenciales was full to capacity as hundreds of students gathered for the “Earth Day Movie Experience,” hosted by the Turks and Caicos National Trust.