Another Serdinia in the making by His Highness The Aga Khan IV
EXCAVATION of a yacht basin at Big Bell Island in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is underway as owner the Aga Khan forges ahead with development plans.
Around 4.32 acres of rock is being dug out around a shallow salt pond on the southeast corner of the island to create space for boats up to 164ft long at a depth of 14ft below the Mean Water Level (MWL).
Silt curtains have been installed to minimise damage from dredging, before the 80ft wide access channel is dredged to give boats access to the marina at the 14ft depth.
And a jetty will be constructed alongside the entrance to the yacht basin to prevent water flow and reduce the need for further dredging, states the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
Director of the BEST Commission Philip Weech said developers Islands of the World Development Ltd, for the island's owner Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, scaled back their original plans following an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) completed in March last year.
The plans to dredge and develop the 349-acre island within the protected land and sea park stirred debate when revealed by The Tribune last year, as environmental and political activists voiced their opposition to development within the protected zone.
Environment Minister Earl Deveaux came under heavy criticism for taking a free ride in the Aga Khan's luxury 12-seater helicopter to a site visit on Bell Island and to Abaco for an unrelated event, as planning applications were being considered by his ministry.
And the BNT, charged with stewardship of the park, was criticised for not rejecting the plans outright, and for accepting a $1 million donation from the Aga Khan, according to Tribune sources.
But environmental activist Sam Duncombe of non-profit organisation reEarth said the real tragedy is the desecration of the world's oldest marine park.
"It's extremely distressing because if you can't save the park what can you save? If even the things that are completely off-limits are not off-limits, then there is no hope," Ms Duncombe said.
"Whether or not the National Trust received a donation from the Aga Khan or not is immaterial - they should have been at the forefront screaming that there should be no development there, and we have seen time and time again that they sit on the fence with issues, or they downright agree."
"The argument that there have been other sites in the park that have been dredged is no defence Property"
"If people are allowed to purchase property in the park there needs to be restrictive covenants on what you are able to do."
"You can't take a fish, but you can dredge out several acres - it's such hypocrisy, and it's really devastating to watch these things that are allowed to happen without any public outcry, and if we sit back and say nothing then the government is going to go ahead with what they want."
Excavation of the yacht basin is now well underway, as is construction of a staff housing area and upgrades to the service dock, while living conch and coral reefs are relocated within the park."
Marine biologist Dr Craig Dalhgren is relocating the marine species with help from BNT staff as environmental compliance officer Rochelle Newbold, a former environmental manager for the BEST Commission and environmental project manager at Albany, oversees the execution of the EMP.
Dredging around the service dock and barge landing area has been reduced by 72 per cent, or 31,041.8 cubic yards, according to the EMP, as the channel proposed for the northwest corner of the island has been eliminated and dredging around the dock reduced Discussions
BEST Commission director Philip Weech said: "The existing impact area is much smaller than what was originally proposed and that came directly as a result of discussions.
"The EMP shows the initial proposals and the final agreement, and you can see the significant changes.
"The footprint has been reduced significantly and the owner has taken responsibility."
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims, is regarded as a philanthropist for his charitable endeavours, and has included a native plant reserve in his plans as well as scaling back his development.
Ms Duncombe said: "The Aga Khan is touted as a person who has done so much in terms of the environment and humanitarian need, but it kind of negates what you are doing if you can come to our country and trash our national park, and it baffles me that people don't see that."
Calls to attorneys at Gail Lockhart Charles and Co, representing the Aga Khan, were not returned yesterday.
Officials from the BNT, BEST Commission, and the Department of Physical Planning will visit Bell Island later this week and The Tribune has requested permission to attend.
Full details of development can be seen in the EIA and EMP available online at www.best.bs.
Excavation work underway at Big Bell Island
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shiraz.virani
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Environment Ministry pays courtesy call on Governor General
By Gena Gibbs
Jul 6, 2011 - 12:15:59 PM
Excerpt:
Minister Deveaux gave brief remarks about the sustainable future of The Bahamas through using renewable energies. He also provided information to the Governor General about developments underway in the Exumas, particularly the Aga Khan's purchase of Bell Island.
“When we agreed as a government to allow the Aga Khan to purchase Bell Island, we agreed to a number of other things, one of which, was to permit him to develop the property for the use of his family. And so, all that came as a result, was a direct consequence of that decision.
“However, in talking to him, he [the Aga Khan] also indicated his long term interest in doing for The Bahamas, what he has done everywhere else that he has been, which is to develop healthcare systems as well as sustainable living,” said Dr. Deveaux.
Minister Deveaux explained to Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes that the July 2 Exuma flyover exercise by the ministry proved that The Bahamas and all its cays are still one country, interdependent economically on the domino effect of development from one island to the next.
“The reason we took the flyover of the Exuma Cays, as we started from Ship Channel Cay, where we can keep the appreciation for the connectivity of the Exumas to Barra Terre, Great Exuma, and the Cays. And to allow people an appreciation, that the Cay they have at Black Point is nearly as long as Long Island and Great Guana Cay,” said Dr. Deveaux.
http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish ... 6797.shtml
By Gena Gibbs
Jul 6, 2011 - 12:15:59 PM
Excerpt:
Minister Deveaux gave brief remarks about the sustainable future of The Bahamas through using renewable energies. He also provided information to the Governor General about developments underway in the Exumas, particularly the Aga Khan's purchase of Bell Island.
“When we agreed as a government to allow the Aga Khan to purchase Bell Island, we agreed to a number of other things, one of which, was to permit him to develop the property for the use of his family. And so, all that came as a result, was a direct consequence of that decision.
“However, in talking to him, he [the Aga Khan] also indicated his long term interest in doing for The Bahamas, what he has done everywhere else that he has been, which is to develop healthcare systems as well as sustainable living,” said Dr. Deveaux.
Minister Deveaux explained to Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes that the July 2 Exuma flyover exercise by the ministry proved that The Bahamas and all its cays are still one country, interdependent economically on the domino effect of development from one island to the next.
“The reason we took the flyover of the Exuma Cays, as we started from Ship Channel Cay, where we can keep the appreciation for the connectivity of the Exumas to Barra Terre, Great Exuma, and the Cays. And to allow people an appreciation, that the Cay they have at Black Point is nearly as long as Long Island and Great Guana Cay,” said Dr. Deveaux.
http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish ... 6797.shtml
Bahamas: Dredging Project at Bell Island Starts
Dredging Project at Bell Island Starts
Dredging has begun on Bell Island, Guardian Business can confirm, after the government approved the request of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to clear a basin for his marina.
The private island, falling within the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the oldest of its kind in The Bahamas, has been a source of controversy among politicians and environmentalists that feel the area must be protected.
According to Neil McKinney, the president of the Bahamas National Trust, his organization managed to reduce the dredging “significantly“, and it will impact only a few acres. JIt is a very small percentage,” he said.
“Everything [Khan] is doing has gone through the proper channels and he has permits. He has been up-front in what he is doing. There was no reason to say no. It would be like if I came to your house and said you couldn’t build something.”
The issue stems from the fact that the park was created in 1959, McKinney added. There were private islands on the site long before this time, which has created a clash between public and private interest. Khan is the current Imam of Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims, who is responsible for the interpretation of the faith of his followers. He is heir to the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world.
More info: (thenassauguardian)
http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2011/08/31 ... nd-starts/
Dredging Project at Bell Island Starts
Dredging has begun on Bell Island, Guardian Business can confirm, after the government approved the request of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to clear a basin for his marina.
The private island, falling within the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the oldest of its kind in The Bahamas, has been a source of controversy among politicians and environmentalists that feel the area must be protected.
According to Neil McKinney, the president of the Bahamas National Trust, his organization managed to reduce the dredging “significantly“, and it will impact only a few acres. JIt is a very small percentage,” he said.
“Everything [Khan] is doing has gone through the proper channels and he has permits. He has been up-front in what he is doing. There was no reason to say no. It would be like if I came to your house and said you couldn’t build something.”
The issue stems from the fact that the park was created in 1959, McKinney added. There were private islands on the site long before this time, which has created a clash between public and private interest. Khan is the current Imam of Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims, who is responsible for the interpretation of the faith of his followers. He is heir to the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world.
More info: (thenassauguardian)
http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2011/08/31 ... nd-starts/