Ecology on its side, but ...

I n an accompanying article, ‘Not Port Royal alone’, in today’s publication, Ainsley Henriques, two-time chairman of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, is not supporting the idea that Port Royal should be a cruise-ship destination because it lacks much-needed social and commercial amenities, among other things.

Once described as the ‘Wickedest City on Earth’, and partially destroyed by an earthquake and attendant tsunami on June 7, 1692, Port Royal is replete with historical sites and ruins, some of which are underwater. And they have been pulling people from all over the world to the place that was once the haunt of pirate-turned-lieutenant governor Sir Henry Morgan. World Heritage Site inscription is now on the front burners.

But while I am particularly interested in the man-made structures in Port Royal, I see that there is also much value in the geography and ecology of the place, which I find thoroughly fascinating. It is so near downtown Kingston and surrounding concrete jungle, yet it is nestled in nature. Its proximity to Kingston is a blessing, yet a curse since it is the destination for much of the garbage that Kingston pushes out into the sea.

It is a shame, though, for the mangrove forest on the harbour side is a naturally magical place that teems with fish, oysters, and a variety of birds, including the brown pelican. Much of the oysters sold on the streets of downtown Kingston are acquired from there. I took a boat ride through the forest years ago and was really enchanted by the place.

At one point, we travelled under overhanging mangrove branches that created an arch. Boating through the romantic aura that it oozed was an experience to remember. I saw oysters clinging to everything they could, and there was an abundance of jellyfish. Mongoose sprinted from branch to branch upon seeing us, mischief shining from their beady eyes.

The sight of birds and their white droppings on green leaves said loud and clear that we were passing through their sanctuary, almost unspoilt. There must be a way to get the refuse out and to prevent them from being deposited within for it is a beautiful and ecologically important place. Who in high places is suddenly going to realise that it is?

Along the way, on the Palisadoes strip, there are spots where people go to fish. It has a variety of acacia shrubs and cacti. The beach on the south of the spit is sun-drenched and has a variety of pebbles and driftwood further up. If ever you want to take a long evening stroll, that’s the place to go. Walk with a bag. Nature has treasures scattered all over the place, waiting for you.

So while Port Royal lacks certain infrastructural development, the road to it and the greenery have made it a nature lover’s haven if only people could see the value of it. And some people like it like that. Infrastructural development, they say, will take away the quaintness of the place and lead to environment degradation.