First draft

1. Caribbean Studies Internal Assessment
Title of the study: “To examine the impact of Tourism in Negril on the development of the ecology”.
Name: Ashroan Fraser
Territory: Jamaica
School: Munro College
Center Number:
Form: L6
Teacher:
Year of examination: 2011

2. Introduction
Research topic and purpose of research
Research Topic:
 The Productive Sector and Development.
Problem Statement:
 To investigate the impact of tourism in Negril on the ecology.
Aim/Objectives:
 How is the ecology of Negril affected by Tourism?
 What are the major causes of the ecological degradation resulting from tourism
development?
 What mitigating strategies is the Government employing in order to protect the environment
as infrastructural activities continue?
 What are of tourism on infrastructure in Negril?
The researcher chose to investigate this topic as tourism is the main foreign exchange earner in Jamaica
however the dependence on this industry has serious implication on the society. This study is focused
on the ecological degradation caused by tourism in Negril, so that a deeper understanding of the issue
can be acquired. The ecology from a biological stand point is the study of the relationship of organism
with each other and their environment. This investigation explores factors such as Water Pollution,
Maine life Degradation, deforestation and coral reef damage which negatively affects the ecology. As a
result the researcher did an extensive study of beaches, streets and facilities near the coast for
information that would help in the presentation and proper evaluation of the problem stamen and
objectives of the research. In addition, this study was done to meet the requirements of cape.

3. Literature Review
There are, of course, pros to using tourism as one of the major promoters of economic
development in Jamaica. The Tourism industry earns foreign exchange, provides jobs for citizens, and
revenue to the governments. Proponents of tourism argue that the movement away from the cash-crop
economy that dominated the Caribbean since the colonial period, toward a tourism-based economy will
build a much sounder economic foundation [Garwin Davis (2006)]. Proponents also contend that
tourism has made important social impacts on the Caribbean, such as bringing a renewed internal
consciousness and celebration of indigenous Caribbean cultures and historic sites. They point to the
many local arts and crafts trades that have been revived and made into lucrative local industries by
tourist interests, the renovation of historic sites and monuments as tourist attractions, and the
development and support of local festivals and cultural events because of heavy tourist participation
and interest [Lloyd Gardener(2003)]. However the researcher evaluates from Garwin’s Article that that
these pros are negated by various economic factors and social effects. He continues by saying that
Negril’s marine wild life, there natural habitats and vegetation which beautifies the landscape are being
ruined.
This point is supported by Jodi-Ann Benjamin of Excelsior College in her letter to the Editor of “the Daily
Gleaner”.
“Hotels are destroying the environment in several ways like deforestation, disposal of the wastes that
are generated from these hotels into the sea which ends up harming coral reefs and the modification
of these properties causes beach erosion that consequently damages the ecosystem.”
Benjamin thinks that the abuse of the environment has become widespread as it is evident in Jamaica’s
General approach to tourism. It is currently not sustainable and because of the tourism “boom” from
1978-1988 competitiveness in the industry has severely increased; subsequently little is being done to
protect the fragile ecosystem which exists in Negril. This approach will prove to be economic suicide as
the natural wildlife and the beaches are a few of the reason that tourist visit Negril. Many of these
hotels, especially those on the coast, are destroying the habitat for many species of fishes as well as
causing the degradation of the Great Morass (wetland), which is a major line of defense against
hurricanes.
Jamaica’s tourism industry should be applauded to some extent as a result of its economical
benefits [Stephanie Thullen (2000)]. However, she wastes no time getting to the point that this

4. extensive “large-scale” production has led to the demise of the environment and ecosystem. She
emphasizes the facts that Jamaica is a small island with a fragile eco-system which is already under
pressure because of other commercial and industrial activities. The dramatic increase in the
development of these superstructures also means having to cope with more solid waste.
“Inadequate sewage systems have caused the deterioration of water quality and damage to coral
reefs; construction of sand dunes and has caused wetland destruction.”
She points that local craftsmen perpetuates and contributes greatly to the environmental
degradation of Jamaica by causing damage to the black coral thus causing the reduction of their
formation and pilfering them to make souvenirs. Negril contains all species of coral in the Caribbean;
there is unusually high abundance of montastrea Cavernosa and even rare species such as mycetophyllia
[Lidia Evans (1980)].In Lidia, in her article, stated that Jamaica’s tourism industry would be one of or if
not THE most productive sector in Jamaica. She also said that this economic development would not
have affected the social development. Presently only a small fraction of coral species exists, species
such as the Liagora, Haloplegrna and Gelidium are none existent [].
The views of Lidia and Davis are both contradictory to that of Thullen as they generally think
that the economic benefits of tourism far out was the effect the sector has on the country. However it is
the researcher’s opinion that Thullen's argument was more researched than that of the proponents.
Davis and Lidia were more concerned with the short term economical benefits of tourism rather than
the overall development of Jamaica; before Thullen voiced her opinion and facts she obtained in the
field about the disadvantages of tourism she spoke of the economical advantages of the sector. Kiazor
provides additional support to Thullen’s estimations with her article “The Health of the coral reef in
Negril. In her article she shows the extent to which the ecology is being destroyed.
This problem has been acknowledged by the Jamaican Government and they have created the
National Resources Conservation Authority to manage the physical environment and assess the
environmental impact for any type of development and to promote environmental education. However
the researcher is left to ponder she questions whether or not this act is too little too late as within the
last two decades the natural beaches and forests have been significantly destroyed for economic
reasons. Now tourism being the biggest income earner for Jamaica, one wonders if it is possible for this
machine to stop? This seems very unlikely as the natural vegetation had been depleted so much that it
limits the available resources for agricultural purposes, hence our current government will continue to
depend on tourism as the one of main money making industry in the island. Until something else comes
along, our eco-system will continue to suffer.

5. Method of Data Collection
Data was collected primarily through the use of an observation checklist [Naturalistic Observation].This
form of observational technique allowed the researcher to acquire truthful answers to Specific
questions without having to rely on individuals in the study area. The researcher therefore had hands on
experience with the research topic so to speak.
Questionnaires were another method utilized in the collection of data. The researcher chose to use a
sample size of thirty, Twenty (20) residence of the West End community and ten (10) persons on the
street. The questionnaire was not gender or age specific, but persons between the ages of twenty to
fifty five was chose as they were assumed to have some sort of knowledge of the topic. Also,
Newspaper articles and internet articles were used as secondary sources. Texts such as Last Resorts by
Polly Patulous and Tourism Leisure and Recreation by Garret Nagle were used to gain perspective. This
secondary data helps in coming to a conclusion to the topic as it can provide insight into what people
think and what they do. It is unobtrusive, making reactive and investigator effects very unlikely. This
data can be collected for time periods occurring in the past (e.g., historical data) and is also useful for
corroboration.
The action plan of this Internal Assessment entailed going on at least three different trips to
Negril, a main tourist site in Jamaica, to observe how Tourism industry has had an impact on the
country’s natural ecology. The researcher observed the practices by these major corporations follow the
laws put down by the government as it relates to preserving the natural vegetation, habitats for
indigenous creatures, keeping the environment clean as it relates to litter and also the Coral Reefs.
The researcher ventured to main hotel properties and observed how these manmade buildings
were affecting the natural rainforest that was once there and observe the creatures in their natural
habitat. The researcher also saw how well the coral reefs are surviving with these changes to its
environment and see if the beaches and surrounding area are being littered. The researcher stopped at
the Negril Harbor, The Crafts and Grocer Markets and passed through the main roads within the city
different times of day to tabulate the results and make a conclusion.

6. Presentation of Findings
Map of The study area

7. Specific times of day
80
78
Harbour
76
Level of 74 Norman Manley Boulivard
Pollution in % 72
70
Streets
68
66
Shores in West End
64
Morning Noon Nightime
Fig 1: Figure showing the cleanliness of the sites as it relates to
pollution at different times of the day
The diagram above shows the statistics about the cleanliness of Negril collected by the
researcher acquired from his three trips. It shows how much the area is constantly being kept up as it
relates to cleaning up litter. Figure 1 show that that in the morning the area is immaculate as all areas
have been cleaned before the crack of dawn and by midday it is littered somewhat but just a little as the
natural elements and human activities lead to this. At nighttime all areas except the streets are cleaned
as the streets are the only areas that are so vast and can’t be cleaned as easily as the private beaches
and harbor who employ people for that job.

8. Picture 1: Photograph showing solid waste disposal facility at the Negril port. It shows the efforts being
made by the authorities to adequately provide a sanitary environment for recreational use.
Picture 2: Photograph showing solid waste disposal facility at the Negril Bay Beach. These were placed
along the beach to reduce pollution of the bay.

9. 23%
Negril
Outside Negril
77%
Figure 2: Showing the Natural Lush Vegetation Outside of Negril as
opposed to the one present in Negril
Figure 2: Pie chart showing the observed distribution of vegetation between Negril and its environs. As
illustrated, an overwhelming 77% of the sample population indicated that majority of the vegetation
was found outside of Negril. As a result of infrastructural changes, Negril has lost an alarming amount of
flora and fauna. Land clearing for hotel and resort construction and trampling of vegetation by tourists
are some contributing factors directly related to the present distribution of vegetation.

10. Quality of Infrastructure as it relates to roads
Road Condition/Transport Very Good Good Satisfactory Needs
Improvement
Ease of Transportation yes
Road Condition yes
Pedestrian Crossing Facilities yes
Road Signs and Markings Yes
Table 1: Showing the quality of road/transport facilities in Negril
As the table indicates, road conditions were fairly good, in that, there were not many road bumps, and
adequate stop signs as such, increasing mobility and ease of transportation which was satisfactory.
However, the pedestrian crossing facilities were limited hence there was massive movements of people
at one time crossing the road even when the light said green for upcoming vehicles and this problem
should be addressed

11. Percentage of Coral Reef abundance
35
30
Coral Reefs
25 inside Ocho
Rios
20
15 Coral Reefs
outside Ocho
10 Rios (2 mile
radius)
5
0
3945 3946 3946 3947 3947
3945 3946 3946 3947 3947
3945 3946 3946 3947 3947
3945 3946 3946 3947 3947
3945 3946 3946 3947 3947
5678901234567890123456789
Different times of the year
This diagram shows the change in the health of the coral reefs the researcher made notes on from
December 2007 to February 2008. The figure shows a decrease in the health of these Coral Reefs due to
human’s hazardous activities on it.(This information was made available by the Negril Marines).

12. Percentage of Traffic Flow
80
70
60 Fern Gully
50
Ocho Rios
40
30
Neighbouring
20 Communities
10
0
Times off Day
Figure 4: Showing the Traffic flow in specific areas at specific times of day.
Ocho Rios
Market
Vehicles Per Minute
Entrance to
Dunns River
falls in Ocho
Rios
Fern Gully

13. Figure 5: Showing the amount of Traffic flow in specific areas.
Figure 4 shows the traffic flow of cars in and out of Negril and Figure 5 shows the amount of vehicular
traffic at specific areas per minute. This constant movement of traffic leads to the constant burning of
fossil fuels hence the releasing of Carbon Monoxide (CO) a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas into the
air.
Comparison of Years
2008
Sand Dunes
1980
0 50 100
% of Sand Dunes as it relates to the maximum the
area can accomodate

14. Figure 6: Shows the significant fluctuation of Sand dunes in Negril from 1980
compared to 2008
According to statistics found on the internet ninety percent (90%) of Jamaica’s beaches
in Negril were lined by dunes of sand. By 2008 the sand dunes have been cut down by more
than half (seventy eight percent (78%) in Negril this shows where Tourism has destroyed the
natural biodiversity of the island.