Saltpans awaiting a thorough clean-up

The clean-up attempts are recommendable. It is very unfair to destroy beauty and rot the environment. However, while I acknowledge all efforts made and being made, the environmental issue should be addressed directly at those that are contributing to its destruction and they should be made to either rectify the destruction or else lose the rights over their property.

If sociological theories need be evidenced, there is no place better than our islands to prove the broken window theory usually adopted to explain degradation in urban areas.

A case in point are the Salina saltpans. The area has been mentioned time and again to be restored and even transformed into a tourist attraction. I also acknowledge that some efforts are being made, especially in the case of the Salina Park afforestation project and the Kennedy Grove upgrade, while the area residents are more than relieved that a national self-inflicted environmental wound is finally being treated.

Some ditch works along the saltpans don't indicate much commitment because practically no work is being carried out in spite of the fact that the ditch has been made accessible for construction equipment.

I still cannot understand why the Coast Road side of the saltpans has practically been rendered a scrap yard. This scene is disgusting, to say the least. Perhaps there are lease rights on the mentioned property but such rights are still subject to environmental laws and ethics. It is high time this problem is really addressed. The authorities should insist on the removal of whatever materials are on the side of the saltpans. It is high time the damaged saltpans be restored and the stale water cleaned up for, otherwise, the area would soon be infested with mosquitoes.