The Galapagos Islands

Pack light or just take casual clothing for the trip to the Galapagos Islands. You will be among the last refuge of some rare marine animals and birds such as sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, lava herons and night herons. You will be walking on vast areas of lava flows forming a haven for most of these animals. You will also be able to go snorkeling and swim with the sea lions. Most importantly, you will be able to meditate and help support such gigantic efforts to save this area of the world.

How long can the world have access to this place that resembles no others when it comes to natural beauty, fauna, flora, ecological importance and marine life? To answer this question, we will take a look at the particularities of these 13 groups of islands making The Galapagos.

Until last November, 2000, most people know of Galapagos as a prime ecotourism destination. On these islands roam hundreds of animals that can't be found anywhere else. In fact, back in 1835, Charles Darwin got so inspired by his island visits that he found enough materials for his famous or infamous theories of evolution or natural selection. Since this time, the world has come in contact with the beauty and kinds of life and organisms existing on these islands.

These sets of islands have caught everybody's attention to the point that in 1936, the Galapagos islands were designated as an Ecuadorian National Park. And in 1978, they became part of the World Heritage Site under the United Nations. The animals that abound on these islands depend mostly on the richness of the sea surrounding them. It's such a measured equilibrium. When the human elements get part of the macro picture, troubles started.

So far, ecotourism brings a lot of revenues to the Ecuadorian government and people. Most people will say this is a sustainable practice. As long as the Galapagos National Park employees, however small in numbers they might be, enforce the tourist regulations, the world may expect to have this reserve for a long time. By the way, I must add that there is a Charles Darwin Research Station on the islands too.

Everything may change as the result of the local fishermen (most of them come from the mainland where fishing resources tend to be depleted due to commercial fishing) who continue to relocate to the fertile Galapagos islands. They want to fish in the Marin reserve. They are attracted by huge benefits and catches of shark fins that they want to sell to the Asian markets. They are coming and they are ready to take on the Ecuadorian government with all their might. Will the government cave in? you may ask. The fishermen want to increase their annaul quotas of spiny lobster and other fish. They started creating trouble on the islands by protesting, harassing and keeping hostages some of the tourists and tortoises and chasing the park's employees. The Ecuadorian government caved in to their demands. The fishermen received a 30-ton increase in the lobster business. What else will they demand next?

Looking at the large picture

This is one of the problems that exists in most third world countries where governments are trying to set apart lands for reserves. Special groups always end up pressuring these governments to give them free access. Some other problems are the lack of patrol and enforcement. Rich individuals or well-connected individuals always got their ways. They know the right buttons to push. Knowing that some of these governments can be destabilized easily, they soon cave in to these demands. What ends up happening is the systematic depletion or overexploitation of these maritime reserves. This is why one may not know for sure how long the Galapagos islands will be able to host these animals and plants.

Why should we all be concerned over the fate of these animals and plants?

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the secret cure of some of our diseases may still lie there. Seeing the destruction of the Galapagos islands can be seen as a tragedy that could be compared to the idea of destruction of the Amazons. None of us would like to see something like that happens.

Equilibrium?

As more and more Ecuadorians and all sorts of entrepreneurs are flocking to the islands about 600 miles off the mainland (Ecuador), there is no doubt that there will be some encroachment on the habitat of these creatures. Here, we come face to face with the perennial question of men vs. nature. Should men not tame nature? This is obviously a view held by most of us, westerners. Why can't we live in harmony with it? Why can't we seek a balance so that the next generations can witness the beauty and wonders of the islands?

All of us should play our role to insure that sustainable practices are held by anyone living and working on the islands. We can't afford to just destroy, take away from the islands, we must also think about sustainable techniques to make sure that there are many tomorrows. Survival is the key to life on Galapagos.

If you go there, don't hesitate to visit these islands: Fernandina island, James Island, Floreana island and Darwin Research Station's Tortois Center.