Press focuses on human threats to Galapagos
| In recent weeks, there have been a series of articles in the world press on threats from increasing population pressure in Galapagos. The articles appear to have been prompted by the recent expulsion of illegal immigrants from the islands by the Ecuadorian government.In September, the government began a crackdown on illegal residents living in Galapagos. About 1,000 people were rounded up and put on planes back to the mainland. Some 2,000 others were put on notice that they had to leave within a year. Following this, an article in the Los Angeles Times reported:
“[President] Correa’s government was the first to strictly enforce laws that require formal ‘visas’ for Ecuadorians to visit the Galapagos. The papers of all arriving at the islands’ two airports are checked. Checkpoints and patrols have become routine on Santa Cruz Island, home to the port town of Puerto Ayora.” But the story on illegal residents prompted some headline writers to instead focus on a threat from tourism. Although no new limits on tourism have been established, nor has the government of Ecuador been hinting at any quotas, some headlines still read: “Tourism curbed in bid to save Galapagos haven,” “Ecuador attempts to reign in Galapagos tourist boom” and “Galapagos expels citizens as a flood of tourists threatens islands.” These articles did not elaborate on their headlines but simply repeated the reports of a crackdown on illegal residents. Illegal immigration to the islands has meant a large increase in population over the past decade. This has been due to higher wages and living conditions in the islands and to increasing tourism development. These population pressures, combined with the threat from introduced plants and animals, prompted UNESCO to put Galapagos on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger last year. |