In February, we told you about the alarming rate of erosion on the coastline of Dangriga Town. Pictures taken just five months apart, showed a substantial deterioration.
Well, in the two months since picture number two it has gotten even worse. The picnic table that was toppling is now in the sea, and the fence for the park is about to be undermined. What's causing it and what can be done? The Mayor today told us that it's such an emergency, he doesn't even have time to find out - he just has to take action, now:
Retired Major H. Gilberto Swazo - Mayor of Dangriga Town
"The erosion situation in Dangriga is very critical, and as a council we believe that it is our responsibility to arrest that situation as early as possible. The intent is for us in the first instance, to halt the erosion, and then once we halt the erosion then that will retain what we have. And once that is completed, then we go into the reclamation phase. We have directed that anyone who is demolishing, in the first instance like those brick houses, we can utilize to form the same growing that has - that I've spoken about. Those growing will certainly halt the erosion."
Jules Vasquez
"Before you start halt and reclaim, isn't it important to find out what's causing it, so that it can stopped from being caused?"
Major H. Gilberto Swazo
"Well, that is fundamental to find out what is causing the erosion. In view of that, we are partnering with other organizations, which will also include the Pitters Institute and they will be sending scientist with a view, then to ascertain specifically what is the cause of that erosion. But we cannot wait for that because we have to halt it. As a matter of fact, the fence for the BTL - Social Security Park is just about compromise, so we cannot wait for that. So we have to do something to halt the erosion, as we speak."
Jules Vasquez
"It feels like an emergency right now."
Major H. Gilberto Swazo
"I think it's imminent that we do something."
Theories include mining that is happening in the North Stann Creek River. They are looking also at the Dangriga Town Pier which they say interrupts the normal tide action. And, of course, rising sea levels are also a symptom of climate change.
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