THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT WOULD appear that we are hell-bent on destroying the environment and for what? Is it in the interest of development or in the interest of tourism?
Some countries, realising how detrimental the influx of visitors to some areas are now restricting the volume of visitors to sensitive areas.
The Blue Mountains, unique in its natural beauty of flora and fauna, is now proposed as an area to develop ski sports. Is this some form of madness?
We have destroyed our mangroves, denuded our hills to plant coffee and then we are distressed when we have land-slides.
The people of Cascade are clamouring for roads as their roads have been blocked by landslides. Did anyone consider that this is due to the coffee farming in the area?
I heard the Member of Parliament quoting the rainfall in the area as the cause of the bad roads.
The rainfall in areas of Portland have been the same for years and yet we have never had such damage to our roads.
Our failure to protect our environment has led to the flooding we experience yearly, at great cost to the Government and to individuals.
It is full time that we realise that this country is given to us to protect, not to destroy.
I am, etc.,
DOREEN MCLEOD
BRAMWELL
Port Antonio, Portland.
