One of Barbados leading eco-tourism attractions on the Southern tourist belt is about to attract further controversy with its Canadian owners alledging Treaty violations by Barbados.
This new turn in events comes six months after the Government of Barbados offered $1 million in support to the environmental facility which is a migratory home to a number of bird species from North and South America.
The complaint filed by the Canadian owner of Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, an eco-tourist facility in Barbados, alleges that the Government of Barbados has violated its international obligations by refusing to enforce its environmental laws, thereby allowing increased pollution and land development to damage the Sanctuary. Notice of the dispute was given to Barbados in accordance with the Agreement For The Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between Canada and Barbados.
The complaint made by the Canadian owner alleges that Barbados has consistently refused to enforce its domestic environmental laws and to abide by its international obligations under the Convention on Wetlands and Convention on Biological Diversity. Such inaction has led to a radical escalation of polluted runoff into the Graeme Hall wetland that serves as a Caribbean flyway stop for migratory birds
In April of 2009, Prime Minister David Thompson took a bold stance regarding the Sanctuary, reasserting that the Government would not be dictated to in determining what action it will take regarding the long-term prospects for the tourism attraction.
At that time the Prime Minister explained the government’s role with the attraction stating, “Our principle objective is to seek to keep the nature sanctuary open and to ensure that the Barbadians employed there continue to have their jobs.”
The Sanctuary was closed late in 2008 and there was much controversy and even public outcry about its closure.
As to the other issues about environmental concerns about who government adjudicates land, the Prime Minister stated: “I have said it before and I will say it again, this government will not be dictated to by anybody in relation to pursuing what is in the best interests of Barbadians. We appreciate the investment made by the owner of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
Peter Allard, chairman and shareholder of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, over $35 million (US) has been invested in the 35-acre Sanctuary to preserve the last significant mangrove woodland and wetland on the island. The Sanctuary is within the last 240-acre green space on the island’s South Coast between the Airport and the capital of Bridgetown, and is also part of the Ramsar wetland recognized by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
