The Editor, Sir:

For at least the last 20 years environmentalists in Portland have been vociferous about the wanton removal of sand from Jamaica's beaches and rivers.

Communities have cried out in vain as river embankments weaken, valley townships are flooded and the sea levels rise, engulfing homes at Orange Bay (where the public beach has disappeared completely) and at Boston, Rafters Rest and Winifred beaches which have lost most of their sand.

Sad fact

For the last 20 years, case after case of illegal sand mining has been thrown out of court due to agents of the National Works Agency or the Commission of Mines suddenly appearing in court with a last-minute licence or letter quashing the prosecution.

The sad fact is that sand-mining licences or 'other official permission' are allegedly regarded as political plums with serious money involved and many persons with fingers in the pie.

Who have been the losers? The people who have watched their fragile bridges and roads wrecked by overloaded sand, stone and gravel trucks; the appearance of dangerous 'blue holes' in rivers and collapsed embankments that cause major flooding and erosion; and diminishing water supplies caused by hastened riverflow due to loss of natural river stones, sand and gravel - and the list is endless!

Everyone is guilty

Who is guilty? Almost everyone and his brother! But it could be said that the REAL guilt lies with those entrusted at the top and paid to protect Jamaica's natural resources.

Or could it just be that we have all been guilty by standing by and allowing cats to watch pigeons?

I am, etc.,

MARGUERITE GAURON