1/28/2008 at 4:00 PM
Tags: Galapagos Travel, Galapagos National Park, Green Travel, Environment, Islands, World Heritage Sites (all tags)
Meanwhile on the opposite side of the world...
We may think of it as one of the world's best, but the Galapagos National Park is in trouble. A boom in tourism to the islands--145,000 visitors dropped by in 2006 compared to 40,000 in 1990--is putting the delicate ecosystem at risk. That recently earned it a special spot on UNESCO's World Heritage list: as a site "in danger."
What does that mean? Non-native species are being introduced to the islands, big ships are detracting from the natural splendor and sport fishing is having an impact on wildlife below the water. And as more and more people come to the islands, there's a better chance that visitors will overwhelm the delicate balance that makes the islands special.
The president of the Galapagos Conservancy, which supports preservation projects in the islands, says her group isn't trying to discourage tourism but rather promote the area in a responsible way:
We have found that when tourists actually visit the Galapagos, they leave caring about it and wanting to support all conservation efforts.
Related Stories:
· Can Darwin's Lab Survive Success? [NYT]
· World's Best National Parks: Galapagos Islands [Jaunted]
· Green Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: The Lilac Breasted Roller]
by pbb
8/14/2007 at 9:37 AM
Tags: National-Parks-World-Map, Islands, Galapagos National Park (all tags)
Best National Parks in the World Map
Despite a few dissenters, most people now agree that Chuck Darwin was on to something when he first noticed variations in the mockingbirds and tortoises from different islands of the Galapagos archipelago.
Today, the Ecuadorian government, which controls Galapagos, has set aside 90 percent of the land for Galapagos National Park. More than 1.7 million acres comprise the natural reserve. Bizarre and beautiful indigenous animals run through the islands' lush fauna. The park service works with the Charles Darwin Research Station to conserve and protect the unique wildlife. This means strict restrictions on ships and a watchful eye on tourism.
Unfortunately, more ships than Darwin's Beagle sailed to the islands over the past several hundred years. As always, white sailors and settlers came bearing gifts: VD and feral animals. Today, the groups work to eradicate these animals, like fire ants, pigeons, and black rats. If they can come up to New York and clean up the East Village next, that would be great.
Related Stories:
·World's Best National Parks [Jaunted]
·Galapagos National Park [Official Site]
[Photo: Copland]
by ced138
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