The hurricane season is here Protecting Cultural Heritage

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially began June 01. With that in mind, SVG like every other nation in this Region, should be alert and prepared for the worst that the season might throw at us.

Some weather experts tell us that there could be from 12 to 17 named tropical hurricanes this season in the Atlantic Ocean. The University of Arizona, well known for the accuracy of their forecasts, is expecting a busier season with 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

The average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, according to the records of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida, fewer named storms are expected this year than in 2020 and 2021, active seasons that exhausted the names set aside for tropical systems.

A less active season, some experts say, is expected mainly because of a developing El Niño, ‘a periodic weather pattern that often reduces hurricane formation in the Atlantic by increasing wind shear, or changes in wind speed and direction from ocean or land surfaces into the atmosphere’.

All of this, no offence to the experts, must be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt. The last thing we want at this time is for complacency to set in for this is very dangerous, particularly now that climate change has increased the potential for torrential rainfall with accompanying strong winds that can inflict property damage and threaten lives and livelihoods.

How well we recall Tomas which continued to strengthen through October 3, 2010 as it moved generally west- to westnorthwestward? Around 20:00 UTC, the eye traversed the northern shores of mainland St. Vincent leaving untold havoc in its path and a debt toll of millions in damage to housing and infrastructure generally.

By now the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) should be fully mobilised for whatever may come our way.

However, it would be remiss of this publication if we did not stress that the responsibility to be prepared also extends to every citizen, with greater awareness and preparation to be exercised by those citizens residing in vulnerable parts of the country.

That said, there is still a sense that the hurricane season does not generate the desired interest or concern. This might well be fueled by the notion in recent years that only a handful of storms have made landfall in the region and even less in SVG, mainly because, some experts say, SVG lies south of most of the historical hurricane tracks.

Perhaps the experiences of displacement and disruption occasioned by the volcanic eruptions of 2012 would awaken an increased ‘appreciation’ for what debilitating impact natural disaster can inflict on an unsuspecting nation.

The quicker we wake up to the fact that this country is not immune to natural disasters and even though it has been spared the wrought of a truly catastrophic hurricane, we are still vulnerable as any other island in the Caribbean archipelago.

We recall the active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in October 2018 that dumped double figures of inches of rain across the region, SVG not excluded, causing widespread severe flash flooding.

With Tomas and that disaster recalled there is cause for concern, notwithstanding the forecasts of the ‘hurricane experts’. There is cause for greater concern about the potential for disaster in the many flood and landslip-prone parts of the country.

But, the truth is that all communities face similar perils, underscoring the need for a higher level of vigilance and more focus on disaster mitigation measures in the weeks and months until the hurricane season ends on November 30.

This is not a matter that SVG should take lightly. And in case we need a reminder: It only takes one storm to level a community and one hurricane to devastate a country, especially an island nation.

A FEW MONTHS AGO,news broke that one of SVG’s most culturally sensitive sites, in my opinion, was up for sale, not for the first time. Yes, I am referring to the possible sale of Baliceaux. Like many other Vincentians, I thought, how is that possible? Then we were quickly reminded that the island is privately owned and, like any other private property, the owner’s right to sell is protected by law. Despite this, many elected officials began a call to stop the sale. I am not sure what’s happening with this proposed property sale, but I have a few ideas/suggestions to offer to those in authority.

Of course, the easy appearance option is to have the government island. We certainly heard that call to action from some members of the community. Too many people think that ownership by the government will appropriately protect this culturally sensitive heritage site from disrespectful development. We all see how that has worked for us when it comes to protecting our beaches over the years. Therefore, I do not share that view; we must do more, and the time to do this is before we are faced with an imminent sale and potential development.

It’s time for us to discuss protecting our cultural heritage sites. To do so, let me define what I think we should consider under the umbrella of cultural heritage. This is by no means comprehensive, just a framework for the discussion. Things for us to coincide as a part of our cultural heritage should include moveable or immovable objects, property, structures, or groups of structures having archaeological, historical, cultural, artistic, and religious value. Certain natural features like iconic rocks, caves, tunnels, and waterfalls should be included along with traditional lifestyle foods like “funge and ferrine, corned fish, and blackfish crisp.”

We should try and have some of our sites listed by UNESCO on the World Heritage list. Did you know that Latin America and the Caribbean have over 140 locations on this register? Indeed, Baliceaux should be considered for this listing. A predetermined protocol must be followed when planning, executing, and operating development projects in culturally or historically sensitive areas.

It will be necessary to identify and protect cultural heritage by ensuring that internationally recognized practices for the protection, field-based study, and documentation of cultural heritage are implemented.

Suppose the due diligence process determines that there are possible impacts on cultural heritage. In that case, competent professionals must be available to collaborate in their identification and propose management plans to protect said legacy.

Regarding using a cultural heritage site for commercial purposes, it becomes vital for a comprehensive business plan to be developed and presented to the indigenous people for review. The scope and nature of the proposed business and the possible consequences of such activities must be discussed and approved before approvals are given.

It is not unusual for the government to appoint a special committee to review and make recommendations to the Planning Department about the suitability of a development application. While this committee may not have final approval authority, its advice should be sought and considered.

A Cultural Heritage Committee should also be encouraged to make development stipulations in keeping with the national interest. To make this committee’s job transparent, the government and the Planning Department should publish a list of unacceptable commercial activities for any cultural heritage sites. For example, while a hotel may be an acceptable development project for Baliceaux, a casino at that hotel may be considered unacceptable. At this location, a Garifuna Cultural Center and a museum may be regarded as a potentially positive feature of government subsidy and assistance to encourage development. It is not inappropriate for the Cultural Heritage Committee and the Planning Department to demand such a centre be included in any development of Baliceaux. The government can incentivize such a center through special concessions and tax waivers, and it will not cost us any direct investment. The economic benefits could be significant.

Speaking of potential hotel development projects, it is time for the government to open the conversation about casinos and gaming. If we are serious about being a viable competitor in the long-term tourism industry, we must address this issue now. And by addressing it, I mean developing a national standard for their operations within our hotels. More on that later.

Horatio.