Levera
The Levera wetland is Grenada’s only Ramsar site, designated as a Wetland of International Importance on May 22, 2012. Despite an EIA still being underway, the forest has already been removed to build temporary housing for a one billion dollar resort to be constructed under the Citizenship by Investment program by the Singapore Heng Sheng (Grenada) Development PTE LTD company. The over 500-hectare site includes various habitats: woodland, dry scrub forest, mangrove wetlands, beach, brackish pond, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Surrounded by red, white, black, and buttonwood mangroves, the large freshwater pond and beach area boast the most extensive diversity of birds on the island, with over 85 species documented on eBird Caribbean from 2006 to date. Levera Beach hosts the third largest nesting site for Endangered Leatherback sea turtles in the Caribbean region. There are also the remains of an Amerindian archaeological site that have only been minimally investigated. Tellingly, a recent survey of stakeholders in 2016 in the communities in and around Levera suggests that less than 15% of individuals support hotel development. More than two-thirds support establishing a National Park and Recreational Area and have suggestions for how they would like to see their community involved through a "co-management" approach.
We demand: Safeguards for Levera
Prevent any development until full planning permission has been granted, guided by the completion of a thorough EIA and public consultations. The conditions under which the permission is granted need to be made publicly available for viewing and active monitoring protocols must be enforced. Ensure thorough and peer-reviewed mitigation measures are developed and in place to mitigate all threats to the survival of the Grenada Dove and the National Parklands prior to any further development-related activities. Revise the development plans of Levera and Mount Hartman Estate, including removing the marina project from the development, to ensure that our wetlands and mangroves are minimally impacted. Destroying these wetlands is inconsistent with Grenada's commitment under the Caribbean Challenge Initiative to protect 25% of our marine and terrestrial resources.
