Planners Association of Dominica calls for urgent action to stop degradation and destruction of Indian River wetlands

The Planners Association of Dominica is calling on the relevant Government Authorities, in particular the Planning Division, Forestry Division, Environmental Health Department, and the Fisheries Division, to take urgent action to halt the current degradation and destruction of our invaluable Indian River Wetlands.

The Indian River is a slow moving, winding river in the town of Portsmouth with swamp trees (bwa mang) pterocarppus officinalis along its banks. Its wetlands are said to contain the best stands of freshwater swamp forest in the Caribbean and is a natural habitat for crabs, birds, iguanas, and orchids.

The Indian River boat rides are one of Dominica’s tourist attractions and a major source of livelihood for many town residents. Some of the scenes of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest were filmed at the Indian River. Part of the trail ruins of Dominica’s only railway runs along the route of the Indian River.

Today, this precious resource is gradually being destroyed by a private landowner. The freshwater vegetation is being cut down and the swamp backfilled with derelict vehicles and loose soil, while the residents seem helpless to stop him.

Swamp/wetlands are natural flood mitigation mechanisms therefore reducing the retention capacity will likely increase the flood risk in the area. The soil used as backfill material will be washed into the river and eventually into the marine environment during heavy rains, causing siltation of the river and coastal waters. This is a significant issue given our national drive towards climate resilience.

Dominica is signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. CBD covers all possible domains that are directly or indirectly related to biodiversity and its role in development, ranging from science, politics and education to agriculture, business, culture and much more.