Caribbean Studies Internal Assessment

Title of the study: “To examine the impact of Tourism in Negril on the development of the ecology”.

Name: Ashroan Fraser

Territory: Jamaica

School: Munro College

Center Number:

Form: L6

Teacher:

Year of examination: 2011

Introduction

Research topic and purpose of research

Research Topic:

The Productive Sector and Development.

Problem Statement:

To investigate the impact of tourism in Negril on the ecology.

Aim/Objectives:

How is the ecology of Negril affected by Tourism?

What are the major causes of the ecological degradation resulting from tourism

development?

What mitigating strategies is the Government employing in order to protect the environment

as infrastructural activities continue?

What are of tourism on infrastructure in Negril?

The researcher chose to investigate this topic as tourism is the main foreign exchange earner in Jamaica

however the dependence on this industry has serious implication on the society. This study is focused

on the ecological degradation caused by tourism in Negril, so that a deeper understanding of the issue

can be acquired. The ecology from a biological stand point is the study of the relationship of organism

with each other and their environment. This investigation explores factors such as Water Pollution,

Maine life Degradation, deforestation and coral reef damage which negatively affects the ecology. As a

result the researcher did an extensive study of beaches, streets and facilities near the coast for

information that would help in the presentation and proper evaluation of the problem stamen and

objectives of the research. In addition, this study was done to meet the requirements of cape.

Literature Review

There are, of course, pros to using tourism as one of the major promoters of economic

development in Jamaica. The Tourism industry earns foreign exchange, provides jobs for citizens, and

revenue to the governments. Proponents of tourism argue that the movement away from the cash-crop

economy that dominated the Caribbean since the colonial period, toward a tourism-based economy will

build a much sounder economic foundation [Garwin Davis (2006)]. Proponents also contend that

tourism has made important social impacts on the Caribbean, such as bringing a renewed internal

consciousness and celebration of indigenous Caribbean cultures and historic sites. They point to the

many local arts and crafts trades that have been revived and made into lucrative local industries by

tourist interests, the renovation of historic sites and monuments as tourist attractions, and the

development and support of local festivals and cultural events because of heavy tourist participation

and interest [Lloyd Gardener(2003)]. However the researcher evaluates from Garwin’s Article that that

these pros are negated by various economic factors and social effects. He continues by saying that

Negril’s marine wild life, there natural habitats and vegetation which beautifies the landscape are being

ruined.

This point is supported by Jodi-Ann Benjamin of Excelsior College in her letter to the Editor of “the Daily

Gleaner”.

“Hotels are destroying the environment in several ways like deforestation, disposal of the wastes that

are generated from these hotels into the sea which ends up harming coral reefs and the modification

of these properties causes beach erosion that consequently damages the ecosystem.”

Benjamin thinks that the abuse of the environment has become widespread as it is evident in Jamaica’s

General approach to tourism. It is currently not sustainable and because of the tourism “boom” from

1978-1988 competitiveness in the industry has severely increased; subsequently little is being done to

protect the fragile ecosystem which exists in Negril. This approach will prove to be economic suicide as

the natural wildlife and the beaches are a few of the reason that tourist visit Negril. Many of these

hotels, especially those on the coast, are destroying the habitat for many species of fishes as well as

causing the degradation of the Great Morass (wetland), which is a major line of defense against

hurricanes.

Jamaica’s tourism industry should be applauded to some extent as a result of its economical

benefits [Stephanie Thullen (2000)]. However, she wastes no time getting to the point that this extensive

“large-scale” production has led to the demise of the environment and ecosystem. She emphasizes the

facts that Jamaica is a small island with a fragile eco-system which is already under pressure because of

other commercial and industrial activities. The dramatic increase in the development of these

superstructures also means having to cope with more solid waste.

“Inadequate sewage systems have caused the deterioration of water quality and damage to coral

reefs; construction of sand dunes and has caused wetland destruction.”

She points that local craftsmen perpetuates and contributes greatly to the environmental

degradation of Jamaica by causing damage to the black coral thus causing the reduction of their

formation and pilfering them to make souvenirs. Negril contains all species of coral in the Caribbean;

there is unusually high abundance of montastrea Cavernosa and even rare species such as mycetophyllia

[Lidia Evans (1980)].In Lidia, in her article, stated that Jamaica’s tourism industry would be one of or if

not THE most productive sector in Jamaica. She also said that this economic development would not

have affected the social development. Presently only a small fraction of coral species exists, species

such as the Liagora, Haloplegrna and Gelidium are none existent [].

The views of Lidia and Davis are both contradictory to that of Thullen as they generally think

that the economic benefits of tourism far out was the effect the sector has on the country. However it is

the researcher’s opinion that Thullen's argument was more researched than that of the proponents.

Davis and Lidia were more concerned with the short term economical benefits of tourism rather than

the overall development of Jamaica; before Thullen voiced her opinion and facts she obtained in the

field about the disadvantages of tourism she spoke of the economical advantages of the sector. Kiazor

provides additional support to Thullen’s estimations with her article “The Health of the coral reef in

Negril. In her article she shows the extent to which the ecology is being destroyed.

This problem has been acknowledged by the Jamaican Government and they have created the

National Resources Conservation Authority to manage the physical environment and assess the

environmental impact for any type of development and to promote environmental education. However

the researcher is left to ponder she questions whether or not this act is too little too late as within the

last two decades the natural beaches and forests have been significantly destroyed for economic

reasons. Now tourism being the biggest income earner for Jamaica, one wonders if it is possible for this

machine to stop? This seems very unlikely as the natural vegetation had been depleted so much that it

limits the available resources for agricultural purposes, hence our current government will continue to

depend on tourism as the one of main money making industry in the island. Until something else comes

along, our eco-system will continue to suffer.

Method of Data Collection

Data was collected primarily through the use of an observation checklist [Naturalistic Observation].This

form of observational technique allowed the researcher to acquire truthful answers to Specific

questions without having to rely on individuals in the study area. The researcher therefore had hands on

experience with the research topic so to speak.

Questionnaires were another method utilized in the collection of data. The researcher chose to use a

sample size of thirty, Twenty (20) residence of the West End community and ten (10) persons on the

street. The questionnaire was not gender or age specific, but persons between the ages of twenty to

fifty five was chose as they were assumed to have some sort of knowledge of the topic. Also,

Newspaper articles and internet articles were used as secondary sources. Texts such as Last Resorts by

Polly Patulous and Tourism Leisure and Recreation by Garret Nagle were used to gain perspective. This

secondary data helps in coming to a conclusion to the topic as it can provide insight into what people

think and what they do. It is unobtrusive, making reactive and investigator effects very unlikely. This

data can be collected for time periods occurring in the past (e.g., historical data) and is also useful for

corroboration.

The action plan of this Internal Assessment entailed going on at least three different trips to

Negril, a main tourist site in Jamaica, to observe how Tourism industry has had an impact on the

country’s natural ecology. The researcher observed the practices by these major corporations follow the

laws put down by the government as it relates to preserving the natural vegetation, habitats for

indigenous creatures, keeping the environment clean as it relates to litter and also the Coral Reefs.

The researcher ventured to main hotel properties and observed how these manmade buildings

were affecting the natural rainforest that was once there and observe the creatures in their natural

habitat. The researcher also saw how well the coral reefs are surviving with these changes to its

environment and see if the beaches and surrounding area are being littered. The researcher stopped at

the Negril Harbor, The Crafts and Grocer Markets and passed through the main roads within the city

different times of day to tabulate the results and make a conclusion.

Presentation of Findings

Map of The study area

The diagram above shows the statistics about the cleanliness of Negril collected by the

researcher acquired from his three trips. It shows how much the area is constantly being kept up as it

relates to cleaning up litter. Figure 1 show that that in the morning the area is immaculate as all areas

have been cleaned before the crack of dawn and by midday it is littered somewhat but just a little as the

natural elements and human activities lead to this. At nighttime all areas except the streets are cleaned

as the streets are the only areas that are so vast and can’t be cleaned as easily as the private beaches

and harbor who employ people for that job.

Fig 1: Figure showing the cleanliness of the sites as it relates to pollution at different times of the day

Morning Noon Nightime64

66

68

70

72

74

76

78

80

Harbour

Norman Manley Boulivard

Streets

Shores in West End

Specific times of day

Level of Pollu-tion in %

Picture 1: Photograph showing solid waste disposal facility at the Negril port. It shows the efforts being

made by the authorities to adequately provide a sanitary environment for recreational use.

Picture 2: Photograph showing solid waste disposal facility at the Negril Bay Beach. These were placed

along the beach to reduce pollution of the bay.

Figure 2: Pie chart showing the observed distribution of vegetation between Negril and its environs. As

illustrated, an overwhelming 77% of the sample population indicated that majority of the vegetation

was found outside of Negril. As a result of infrastructural changes, Negril has lost an alarming amount of

flora and fauna. Land clearing for hotel and resort construction and trampling of vegetation by tourists

are some contributing factors directly related to the present distribution of vegetation.

23%

77%

Negril

Outside Negril

Figure 2: Showing the Natural Lush Vegetation Outside of Negril as opposed to the one present in Negril

Quality of Infrastructure as it relates to roads

Road Condition/Transport Very Good Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement

Ease of Transportation yes

Road Condition yes

Pedestrian Crossing Facilities yes

Road Signs and Markings Yes

Table 1: Showing the quality of road/transport facilities in Negril

As the table indicates, road conditions were fairly good, in that, there were not many road bumps, and

adequate stop signs as such, increasing mobility and ease of transportation which was satisfactory.

However, the pedestrian crossing facilities were limited hence there was massive movements of people

at one time crossing the road even when the light said green for upcoming vehicles and this problem

should be addressed

39448 394790

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Coral Reefs in-side Ocho Rios

Coral Reefs outside Ocho Rios (2 mile radius)

Different times of the year

Per

cen

tag

e o

f C

ora

l R

eef

abu

nd

ance

This diagram shows the change in the health of the coral reefs the researcher made notes on from

December 2007 to February 2008. The figure shows a decrease in the health of these Coral Reefs due to

human’s hazardous activities on it.(This information was made available by the Negril Marines).

Morn

ing

Noon

Nightim

e0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Fern Gully

Ocho Rios

Neighbouring Communities

Times off Day

Pe

rce

nta

ge

of

Tra

ffic

Flo

w

Figure 4: Showing the Traffic flow in specific areas at specific times of day.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Ocho Rios Market

Entrance to Dunns River falls in Ocho Rios

Fern Gully

Number of Vehicles

Ve

hic

les

Pe

r M

inu

te

Figure 4 shows the traffic flow of cars in and out of Negril and Figure 5 shows the amount of vehicular

traffic at specific areas per minute. This constant movement of traffic leads to the constant burning of

fossil fuels hence the releasing of Carbon Monoxide (CO) a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas into the

air.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Ocho Rios Market

Entrance to Dunns River falls in Ocho Rios

Fern Gully

Number of Vehicles

Ve

hic

les

Pe

r M

inu

te

Figure 5: Showing the amount of Traffic flow in specific areas.

1980

2008

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Sand Dunes

% of Sand Dunes as it relates to the maximum the area can accomodate

Co

mp

ari

so

n o

f Y

ea

rs

According to statistics found on the internet ninety percent (90%) of Jamaica’s beaches

in Negril were lined by dunes of sand. By 2008 the sand dunes have been cut down by more

than half (seventy eight percent (78%) in Negril this shows where Tourism has destroyed the

natural biodiversity of the island.

Figure 6: Shows the significant fluctuation of Sand dunes in Negril from 1980 compared to 2008