Reuters AlertNet Lite - Ecuador says pristine Galapagos islands at risk

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Ecuador says pristine Galapagos islands at risk

11 Apr 2007 02:28:17 GMT
Source: Reuters

QUITO, April 10 (Reuters) - Ecuador declared the world-famous Galapagos Islands at risk on Tuesday and could temporarily suspend tourism permits and enforce rigorous population restrictions to prevent further environmental harm.

"We are pushing for a series of actions to overcome the huge institutional, environmental and social crisis in the islands," President Rafael Correa said after signing an emergency decree to help the archipelago.

Correa did not provide any details about the possible restrictions, but said the country would consider suspending some tourism permits. Thousands of visitors travel to the Galapagos annually.

The volcanic islands, located 625 miles (1,000 km) west of Ecuador's coast, inspired British naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. A growing population, illegal fishing of sharks and sea cucumbers, and internal bickering at the national park have taken a toll.

"The government needs to be stricter on what is allowed there as pressure on Galapagos grows," said Martin Wikelski, a biologist at Princeton University. "It is one of the world's most unique ecosystems... and continues to be one of the most important laboratories for evolution studies."

Centenarian tortoises and blue-footed boobies live alongside 18,000 islanders who earn a living from fishing and a growing tourism industry.

About 15,000 people are believed to live illegally in the islands, government officials said.

A United Nations delegation is visiting the islands to determine whether the World Heritage site should be declared "in danger."

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Topics

• Technology

MORE >>

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Ecuador profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Christian Aid comment on 5 April Gleneagles event
Christian Aid - UK

• Governments must invest to help poor people adapt to climate change
CARE International - UK

• Beware of hidden strings on EU's offer on trade
Christian Aid - UK

• Tsunami hits Solomons: TSF deploys from Asia-Pacific Base
TSF - France

• US/Brazil Biofuel Plans May Destroy Livelihoods, Promote Food Shortages, Warns ActionAid
ActionAid - USA

MORE >>

Latest news

• Ecuador says pristine Galapagos islands at risk

• U.N. chief eyes climate change summit - FT

• Blood cells help treat diabetes patients -study

• FACTBOX-Reports by the U.N. climate panel

• FACTBOX-Potential curbs on greenhouse gases by 2030-UN

MORE >>

Last updated:Wed Apr 11 02:29:49 2007