Keep The BVI Clean
We read from time to time about one civic organization or another promoting a beach cleanup or a village cleanup in order to keep our islands and our neighborhoods clean and beautiful. Unfortunately such exercises are sporadic and are aimed only at the more visible aspect of the problem: litter.
What is really beginning to worry us is that the litter problem affects the entire territory, from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke. Beer cans and bottles, soda cans, wine bottles and all kinds of trash can be found piling up on some of our best beaches, tossed on the side under a bush in the vicinity of hotels, bars and restaurants. In one case, we have seen a dry pond littered with dozens of beer bottles. It was quite obvious to us that on such a remote and pristine island such acts of vandalism are only perpetrated by irresponsible visitors. And obviously there are quite a few.
Cleanups are good for residents, visitors and for our wildlife, but what's badly needed right now is education. There is a need to sensitize both locals and tourists about the importance of keeping the BVI clean. Trashy villages are unhealthy for us, and they are an eyesore for both the visitors and ourselves. Trashy beaches and litter scattered in the vicinity of public places, hotels and restaurants put a damper on tourism and the economy it supports. Plastic litter and debris is very harmful and often fatal to marine wildlife. It is not enough to plan cleanups. There are fines for littering in this territory but we seriously doubt the law is ever enforced - which is a very poor way of protecting "Nature's Little Secrets". This is mistake number one. Mistake number two is that we do not even hear from anyone about the fact that we have everything to gain by keeping the BVI clean. Keep it clean is quite basic and comes before conservation and preservation. It's plain, basic hygiene, and it makes a lot of sense.