Paradise Lost
Is tourism destroying the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands off Ecuador's eastern seaboard are internationally famous as the home of thousands of unique and fascinating animals. But the islands face a distinct long term threat. Their lifeline is the very same industry that is threatening to destroy them – mass tourism.
The 60,000 tourists who travel to Galapagos every year are what keep the islands alive. They are also the magnet for thousands of Ecuadorians who have emigrated to the islands in search of the tourist dollar. But environmentalists fear the long-term impact on a delicate ecosystem. The land that inspired Darwin’s ‘Origin Of Species’ carries the mixed blessing of its growing popularity as a destination for so-called ‘eco tourists’.
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