The international community has historically been concerned with the protection of Galapagos. However it has often been forgotten that the most damaging changes here have been driven by international markets and the globalization of the islands. Foreign demand for local resources and international investments are still driving economic growth but also continuing to result in cycles of boom or bust. The history of the islands clearly illustrates this pattern: whaling, sealing, and more recently, sea cucumbers. Today, tourism is driving population growth and tourism management will determine the future of the islands. There have been dramatic increases in visitors over the last decade and more migrants wanting to improve their livelihoods through participation in tourism. This creates ever-increasing pressure on limited natural resources, increases pollution and elevates the risk of new introduced species.
This pattern of development should be changed to ensure that Galapagos remains as healthy as they are now in 2006. The most effective route to change is for local, national and international stakeholders to build local leadership and foster the development of a shared vision for the future. The 1998 Special Law for Galapagos is the foundation for a conservation-oriented society with livelihoods based on sustainable practices. The law has been augmented by the Regional Plan of 2002, the National Park Management Plan of 2005, and the Ministry of the Environment’s “Galapagos 2020” process. These tools have helped solidify longer term goals for the sustainable development and conservation of Galapagos, and there must be a focused, strong effort on implementation of these tools.
To help address the present concerns we have begun work on expanding the scope CDF’s scope of research to include social, economic and cultural issues to support management. We are also supporting educational reform and the involvement of local people in sustainable businesses. A recent step forward toward achieving this was the establishment of a culinary training school in a Santa Cruz Island high school. Stemming from the initiative of the school itself and the local community, the program is supported with initial funding administered by CDF. This is an important move toward providing vocational training opportunities for young adults in the islands. We hope that training will encourage employers to find staff locally rather than needing to recruit national and international employees.
The GNPS, with support from CDF, has also recently completed the most successful eradication project in the world - removing the feral goats from Santiago and northern Isabela islands.
These two examples demonstrate that shared vision and good leadership, in combination with national and international support, a healthy Galapagos is indeed possible.
Furthermore, these efforts indicate that the course of development in Galapagos can be shifted away from market driven booms and busts and resulting environmental damage toward business development that furthers – not hinders – conservation efforts.
Galapagos is like no other place on Earth – visitors come from all over to see its natural wonders. The international community can, and must, be part of the solutionby helping Galapagos to build on its past achievements and support the development of a sustainable future. Each step forward is one step closer to ensuring that this amazing archipelago continues to thrive in its entire ecological splendor, here to be enjoyed by future generations.