In a worrying article, Julia Schonharl warns that Dubai’s hopes for the “8th Wonder of the World” – the mega-billion “Palm” may turn into disaster. Writing in the current issue of “Tourism Scan”, the monthly publication of the Ecumenical Council on Tourism, Schonharl questions the ecological basis of the massive Palm development.
“Can artificial islands be the solution for no more forced migration? Can we compensate the destruction of underwater ecosystems by creating a few more snorkelling sites? I doubt it. The latest Tsunami in 2004 has shown that damage and destruction of natural coastal ecosystems is hazardous for civilization. How can artificial islands – as tourist or residential areas – be protected from Tsunamis, cyclones and sea earthquakes?” Writes Schonharl.
The Palm development is set to open on reclaimed land in 2008 – 32 hotels, 1800 villas, 7,000 appartments, theme parks, shopping malls, all the leisure activities you ever dreamed of! Dubai is expecting some 15 million tourists in 2010.
http://www.ecotonline.org
Valere Tjolle
