THE EDITOR, Sir:
LIKE MOST people who travel to Ocho Rios I drove through Fern Gully. Unfortunately for me it was night-time and I made a pledge to myself to make sure I returned to Kingston in the daytime, as I count the observation of the ferns as one of the simple pleasures one enjoys as a positive consequence of living in Jamaica.
My two friends with whom I was travelling, were stunned at the extent to which the foliage is disappearing! We discussed the possible reasons for this and we all agreed that it could be either the asbestos coming off the brake pads of vehicles going through the gully; or it could be that tourists are stealing them. I don't buy that, as the evidence of large clear areas continued all the way up the slope of the banking, including areas where it's difficult for a tourist WITH climbing experience to traverse.
I would suggest to the government that they close the road to vehicular traffic, with the exception of bicycles. These could be rented to tourists. This would generate employment in the area.
Like it or not, something dramatic has got to be done...we can't be content to not do anything and simply leave things as they are or at this rate. We could lose one of THE WORLD'S - not just Jamaica's - great natural attractions, and also lose one of the many reasons why people come here every year.
I am, etc.,
TERENCE JARRETT
ironfist106@hotmail.com
