Environmental health officials have uncovered widespread illegal dumping at the Chancery Lane Swamp in Christ Church, raising concerns about public health and environmental degradation on the eve of World Environment Day.
A walk-through by officers from the Randal Phillips Polyclinic and attended by Environmental Health students from the Barbados Community College led to the piles of garbage, declared threats to the eight-acre wetland ecosystem.
Illegal dumping found on the track to Chancery Lane Swamp. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
Senior Environmental Health Officer Trevor Taylor said: “The aim of this walk, in particular, is to identify challenges surrounding the swamp. Look at some overgrowth, see if there’s mosquito breeding, and of course illegal dump sites,” he said.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Trevor Taylor and Supervisor of Graeme Hall Swamp Korry Catlyn. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
As officers made their way through the wetland, discarded automotive parts, household waste and other debris were observed at several locations.
Health officials examining illegal dumping. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
“Based on what we have seen thus far, [we are] seeing quite a bit of illegal dumping. And this is a call for environmental stewardship, not only for the Ministry of Health, but for the community, our citizens.”
He stressed that protecting the environment was a shared responsibility.
“Duty does not lie only on the government of Barbados, but on every citizen of this country,” he added.
The senior officer urged residents to help authorities identify offenders.
“Anytime you see a vehicle with refuse passing through an area, especially when you know some of the areas are isolated, take note. Record the same, everyone is recording these days. Use a phone, record the information. Record the license plate and send it to us.”
Taylor warned that illegal dumping creates conditions for rodents and other public health concerns, noting that government interventions alone would not solve the problem.
“All the interventions by the Ministry of Health will not solve the issue unless we have a behavioural change.”
A supervisor in the Vector Control Unit, Korry Catlyn, who guided the tour, explained the ecological significance of the wetland, which stretches from Chancery Lane to Long Bay.
“The wetlands is eight acres large, consisting of shallow water, mudflats, and grassy mangroves,” he said. “We will also identify illegal dumpsites through our passage along the ridge and the Long Bay area.”
Catlyn noted that although the swamp is currently dry, conditions can quickly change during the rainy season.
“Right now it is dry, but when the rainy season comes in, this whole entire area where we just traversed would be saturated in something like three to six feet in water.”
Coconut husks found dumped by Chancery Lane Swamp. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
He also explained that some species survive the dry conditions by remaining dormant beneath the mud until rainfall returns.
Environmental officers said a system is being developed to mark illegal dumping locations and that collaboration with the Sanitation Service Authority is expected to form part of efforts to curb the problem.
The walk-through formed part of activities leading up to World Environment Day and underscored the role healthy ecosystems play in protecting both public health and the environment.
(LE)
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