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| Basic sanitation projects are skipped with tourism as the towns priority |
Eco- tourism, a budding field in my community, is the idea
of developing “off the beaten path” tourist destinations in areas that are
breathtakingly beautiful, remote and relatively undeveloped. These areas are
often designed to create minimal impact on the environment, making them ECOlogically friendly. Not only is it a great way to
revitalize a community, but it is a platform which the community can spring
from. How else can we make our lives better? What new habits can we form to
create an inviting community?
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| Canchaque (left) and bamboo structure housing tourist shops (right) |
With that in mind, I was recently asked by my municipality
to help them develop an eco-tourist destination in Aguas Blancas, a small
community 2.5 hours hike up the mountain from Canchaque. The project has money
budgeted to build a camping area, BBQ picnic zone, bathrooms, changing rooms
and possibly a fishing pond.
At first, I was thrilled at the opportunity to expand my
design skills in such a variety of new program types. Better yet, they want
most of it to have a natural aesthetic, using locally grown bamboo.
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| Rustic latrine |
But then I started asking a few more questions about the
project. It’s great that they are going to develop this community to attract
tourists. The area is in desperate need of economic stimulus. Being so remote
from Canchaque, they lack almost all of the essential infrastructure:
bathrooms, sewage system, improved cook-stoves, pavement/roads, health post.
Some homes do not even have electricity or running water.
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| An hour hike through mud with a teacher |
I almost assumed that there was a social portion of the
project, but when I inquired about how the community was going to be improved,
I was told that a few selected houses were going to be polished up, just in
case people didn’t feel like camping.
I understand that the creation of a tourist destination
demands various services (shade, seating, bathrooms), but when I saw the
budget, and saw the need of the community, I was frustrated that almost nothing
was earmarked for the community itself. Shouldn’t basic sanitation, water and
ventilated cooking be prioritized over a fishing pond and picnic tables?
Tune in next time to see how we are fixing this problem!
