Lately, we have seen a number of reports regarding the local environment being under assault by both foreigners and locals. Indeed, it gives the impression that there is now a new awakening and unless we take heed, a great calamity will fall upon us and in one sweep, our beaches, our wetlands, our water fields and our natural shrubbery will disappear overnight. The most recent report, published in the local press and accompanied by a set of impressive photographs, focuses on the development of or the supposedly destructive environmental activity in the Sandyport area.

The Sandyport development has been around for many years and its impact on the immediate environs were clearly visible to even the most causal observer. Beginning with the re-routing of a portion of West Bay Street to create an overpass (boastfully called the Sandyport Bridge); the erection of an attractive wall along what some argue is a public beach; the filling in of acres of marshlands, once the breeding grounds for marine life, to make land available for what is probably one of the more densely populated areas in New Providence. Where were the environmental watchers (public or private) when all of this was going on?

The threat to marine life and coral beds around New Providence are also new targets for the watchers with particular reference to the proposed canal entrance to a planned marina in the multi-million dollar Albany development in the southwestern part of New Providence.

Where were the watchers when approvals were given for the construction of canals and marinas in other parts of the Island such as, Lyford Cay, Coral Harbour, Old Fort, Marina Village, Port New Providence and lest we forget, Sea Breeze Estates?

No need to mention the marinas which line the northern shores of the Island from Arawak Cay to Fort Montagu and beyond. Truth be told, the Island of New Providence is circumscribed by marinas and has been that way for many decades while we all, including the watchers, were seemingly asleep.

Some of us were awake and noisy in our protestations against a project by B.E.C. to remove the old, termite-infested casuarinas (the invasive species of Australian pine) in order to safeguard unsuspecting motorists from falling limbs. Others were curiously silent when 50 to 100-year-old silk cotton trees were felled to make way for a shopping center. We are equally nonchalant and supremely indifferent as we witness the daily scarring of what is left of our limestone hills to provide fill for the construction industry and handsome monetary returns, no doubt, for the landowners.

We were quick to pounce upon two relatively small local developments which, some of the watchers claimed would destroy a creek and pollute a mangrove swamp. This could be regarded as clear evidence that although somewhat selective, we the environmental watchers have the capacity to react strongly, swiftly and vociferously, if and when we want to.

And while we continue to watch what is happening to our environment and in particular, any potential risk to our seabed and its marine life, are we ready to weigh-in on the potential impact, if any, of the government's proposal to again deepen Nassau Harbour to accommodate large cruise ships and to provide landfill for a container port at Arawak Cay?