The ecosystem of an exclusive island in Cartagena, at risk from waste

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By: Canal26.com

Citizens accuse the Fénix Beach hotel, owned by a prominent Colombian actress, of contaminating the main attraction of the place, posing a danger from waste.

An exclusive island in Cartagena, Colombia, named Tierra Bomba, is facing a serious environmental problem that could leave the Punta Arena sector without its main mangrove due to high levels of contamination.

This issue was reported in an investigation by the Cambio website, where the accumulation of solid waste was evidenced, putting the biodiversity of Punta Arena at risk, including species like the hawksbill turtle and the green iguana.

The island’s authorities pointed to the Fénix Beach hotel, owned by Colombian actress Natalia Reyes, as the main culprit for the damage. Despite Reyes presenting herself on social media as an “environmentalist and protector of national ecosystems,” island residents, including Caño Loro, Bocachica, and Punta Arena, claimed to have seen hotel employees dumping trash in the mangrove. Reyes denied these accusations, stating that the hotel has implemented measures to protect the area and its surroundings.

Environmental pollution from plastic waste. Photo: Unsplash
Environmental pollution from plastic waste. Photo: Unsplash

No one takes responsibility for the danger of waste

“The Fénix has filled the entire mangrove with trash. The hotel faces the beach, but towards the back, where there are makeshift paths with sand, is where they transport in carts the waste generated by tourists every day,” mentioned a resident to a national media outlet.

Conflicting versions The situation worsened due to the lack of an effective waste collection system, leading to the accumulation of garbage in the mangrove. However, Reyes also denounced that some members of the community had damaged the mangrove, information that was corroborated by environmental authorities.

Garbage pollution. Photo EFE.

Garbage pollution. Photo EFE.[/caption>

Facing this crisis, and the lack of concrete actions to solve the problem, the Autonomous Regional Corporation of the Dique Channel (Cardique), which has jurisdiction in the area, was strongly criticized. The island, which is currently a prominent tourist destination, is at risk of losing its appeal if urgent measures are not taken.

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