A DECISION to refuse the people of Ascension Island the right to stay there permanently could spell doom for the Atlantic island’s rich biodiversity.
The British-run territory, which lies 8 degrees south of the equator, is home to half a million seabirds and a large colony of green turtles. But the flora and fauna on the island’s 50 square kilometres have been under attack from cats, rats and a rampant Mexican thorn bush. Recent initiatives by the islanders have protected the wildlife from the onslaught, but conservationists fear that people will not carry on the work unless they can stay for good.
The islanders believe the UK’s decision results from security fears. Ascension is the site of a key airbase used by the US as well as the Royal Air Force; there is also a missile firing range and an electronic eavesdropping station. The population of about 1000 is made up mainly of contract workers from St Helena, 1200 kilometres to the south, from where Ascension is governed.
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Four years ago, the future looked bright. The British government announced that the workers, some of whose families have been on Ascension for generations, would get a right of abode and full property rights. A local council was formed, which went on to create a national park on the extinct volcano at the island’s heart. The idea was to encourage ecotourism. People volunteered for conservation projects to protect the turtles, grub up invading plants and exterminate the cats, which were killing the seabirds.
But late last week the UK government revealed its change of heart. It says Ascension’s population will remain subject to expulsion if they retire or pose a security risk. Foreign Office minister Lord Triesman says granting right of abode and the right to purchase property “could not fail to bring an unacceptable level of risk to the UK”.
“Conservation activity will collapse, with immense cost to Britain’s green reputation across the world”
He has not spelled out what the risk might be, but some believe US fears about terrorism, or possible opposition to its sensitive military base from a democratically active population, are behind the move.
“The whole thing stinks,” says Mike Pienkowski of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. “Conservation activity will collapse, with immense cost to Britain’s green reputation across the world.”
