Following the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017 when the local population were evacuated, the tiny Caribbean island of Barbuda is facing many changes that are causing unrest between locals, developers and the government.

Published 5 months ago

Barbuda, to the north of Antigua, is known for it’s pristine landscapes which have long drawn visitors, including the late Princess Diana, after whom an 11-mile pink sand beach is named. However, this beach along the western boundary of the Barbuda Lagoon, is just one area under threat, as rising seas and poor land management contribute to the relentless erosion of the sandbar protecting the beach.

Hurricane Irma’s destruction of the Caribbean island in 2017 opened the door for rampant development that threatens its unique ecosystems and the island’s way of life – but the islanders are fighting back.

Within weeks of Hurricane Irma flattening the island, heavy machinery was at work on the construction site of a private airport for billionaire US investors who had luxury mansions and exclusive hotels already planned.

In 2018, two Barbudans obtained a temporary injunction on the construction of the airport, challenging its impact on the island’s fragile ecosystem. The Antiguan government responded by questioning whether the citizens’ had any legal right to make a challenge.

The case reached appeal in 2021 with the focus on the legitimacy of the Barbudans to object to government plans for Barbudan land. In 2022, the court ruled they had no standing – or right.

In November 2023, the UK privy council was expected to make a final judgment over the issue. Antigua and Barbuda achieved independence from the UK in 1981, but remain in the Commonwealth with a constitutional monarchy under Charles III, so the privy council is the final court of appeal. The verdict could impact activists far beyond this tiny island, as a decision against the Barbudans could set a precedent across the Caribbean for citizens challenging governments’ perceived environmental violations.

Cruisers need to be aware of what is happening on the island as there may be bays and anchorages that are no longer cruiser-friendly, where luxury resorts have been built and beaches privatised.

See the following news items for the current situation.

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Related News:

• Environmental Concerns Could Lead to Demolition of Barbuda Airport Runway (IslandExpressNews)
• Barbuda Braces for Decision on Land Rights and Nature (The Guardian)
• Two Residents of Barbuda Fight the Government, Seek to Prote ct Land (AP News)

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