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Honourable Salim Mvurya, Governor of Kwale County, Kenya: Save our beaches and oceans from the dredging!
Vanda H.
started this petition to
Honourable Salim Mvurya, Governor of Kwale County, Kenya
Diani Beach, Kenya
– (including
Tiwi Beach
) – has been voted
as one of the best beaches in the world and is now under serious threat by sea sand harvesting by dredger for the construction of a railway terminal in Mombasa Port. If this is not stopped we are in danger of the following-
Destruction of beaches – by removing sand from below the reef the topography and hydrology of the area changes and the tides take sand from beaches to fill the gaps created by the dredging.
Destruction of the reef – as well as the dredging process itself harming marine life, the churned up sand settles on the reef, killing the coral. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on earth.
Destruction of livelihoods – as fish die due to their breeding grounds being destroyed there is no livelihood for the local fishermen Those affected by dredging two years ago are still destitute as no fishing can be carried out in their area.
Release of Carbon - Sea grass and the associated ecosystems are known to be carbon rich, storing huge stocks of carbon compared to their terrestrial counterparts. Most of this carbon is
in the sediment, and has taken millions of years to build. Seabed
disturbance, through dredging, is likely to release this carbon into the atmosphere in excess of 800t CO2 –equivalent. Some of the best sea grass habitats in the country are located in the project area.
Pollution – waste from the new railway terminal project being dumped into the ocean outside Mombasa will also impact on Diani and area as the tides will gradually bring the filth ashore. Heavy metals from the mud dumped could also contaminate the
ocean.
Loss of Tourism – who wants to fly half way across the world to stay on a rocky polluted beach? The loss will also have a negative impact through loss of jobs, including the safari industry, as many tourists visit the game parks as part of their package (ending at the coast), and, of course loss of revenue and Kenya’s brand equity.
A HUGE price to pay for cheap building materials.
It is not the peoples intention to hinder the progress of
the new railway terminal but rather to ensure that efficient, ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable solutions are persued.
We petition Honourable Salim Mvurya, Governor of Kwale
County , to pressure the parties concerned to find the sand needed for the new railway terminal from inland and to leave the sea sand where it is for all the people of Kenya and their children and grand children and for all the tourists from oversea’s who love it also.
The coasts of Kenya are a National heritage.
Please save them.
as one of the best beaches in the world and is now under serious threat by sea sand harvesting by dredger for the construction of a railway terminal in Mombasa Port. If this is not stopped we are in danger of the following-
Destruction of beaches – by removing sand from below the reef the topography and hydrology of the area changes and the tides take sand from beaches to fill the gaps created by the dredging.
Destruction of the reef – as well as the dredging process itself harming marine life, the churned up sand settles on the reef, killing the coral. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on earth.
Destruction of livelihoods – as fish die due to their breeding grounds being destroyed there is no livelihood for the local fishermen Those affected by dredging two years ago are still destitute as no fishing can be carried out in their area.
Release of Carbon - Sea grass and the associated ecosystems are known to be carbon rich, storing huge stocks of carbon compared to their terrestrial counterparts. Most of this carbon is
in the sediment, and has taken millions of years to build. Seabed
disturbance, through dredging, is likely to release this carbon into the atmosphere in excess of 800t CO2 –equivalent. Some of the best sea grass habitats in the country are located in the project area.
Pollution – waste from the new railway terminal project being dumped into the ocean outside Mombasa will also impact on Diani and area as the tides will gradually bring the filth ashore. Heavy metals from the mud dumped could also contaminate the
ocean.
Loss of Tourism – who wants to fly half way across the world to stay on a rocky polluted beach? The loss will also have a negative impact through loss of jobs, including the safari industry, as many tourists visit the game parks as part of their package (ending at the coast), and, of course loss of revenue and Kenya’s brand equity.
A HUGE price to pay for cheap building materials.
It is not the peoples intention to hinder the progress of
the new railway terminal but rather to ensure that efficient, ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable solutions are persued.
We petition Honourable Salim Mvurya, Governor of Kwale
County , to pressure the parties concerned to find the sand needed for the new railway terminal from inland and to leave the sea sand where it is for all the people of Kenya and their children and grand children and for all the tourists from oversea’s who love it also.
The coasts of Kenya are a National heritage.
Please save them.
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