Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull has lauded the efforts of the professionals within his ministry who are at the heart of seeing through the development of the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan.
“God has gifted us with these beaches. Yes, it’s part of a tourism product but if we do not preserve, if we do not protect and if we do not plan ahead for how we’re going to continue to maintain our beaches and our natural resources then it will be our loss. So I am glad that there are persons within this ministry and in this team who have taken the liberty and made this the pilot project for how we plan to address the beaches, how we plan to address how persons and the noise pollution is, and the pollution on the beach, the use and how we keep it safe”, stated Turnbull during a recent community meeting.
The minister noted that a significant amount of work is being done to ensure that the policies to emerge from this plan will be thoroughly thought out and effective in addressing the issues identified at the beach. For this, he expressed gratitude to all involved in the process.
“So we have a job to do, I believe my team within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour are committed, they have shown their dedication and commitment. All the persons who have been a part of the committee from all areas and walks of the government services – I want to thank them. I thank you, to the Honourable Premier for facilitating the process and also making the necessary funding available to be able to implement this project”, he said.
As explained during a recent community meeting, in the initial stages of implementation of the beach management plan the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour will continue to manage the beach.
At such time, when the implementation of the plan is completed, and the area becomes a national park, responsibility for management will be handed over to the National Parks Trust.
The ministry is hoping to achieve success on this venture through 6 key mechanisms: public education, signage, intervention by beach wardens and police, complaint mechanisms, enforcement of lease and licence provisions and enforcement of relevant legislation.
The ministry hopes to observe the following timeline for implementation:
Environmental Restoration and Protection (Phase I) – January 15th 2023 to May 31st 2023
Environmental Restoration and Protection (Phase II) – August 15th 2023 to October 31st 2023
Facilities Development – January 15th 2023 to October 31st 2023
A conceptional video of the intended final product can be accessed on bvi.gov.vg/environment.