Ecobreves – CUBA: Demolishing Construction to Save Varadero

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HAVANA, Feb 10 2007 (IPS) - From 1996 to date, more than 80 buildings and three kilometers of walls and fences on the dunes in the resort of Varadero have been demolished as part of an integrated management program. Another 100 buildings are to be removed from this peninsula of white sands located 140 km from Havana to comply with the plan that so far has affected only the state's holdings, Alfredo Cabrera, from the environment ministry, told Tierramérica.

“In taking a decision, the historical value of the site is considered, and whether it serves an important social function,” he added.

Efforts to save Varadero from erosion include hauling in more sand, research on natural recovery of the beach, environmental education of the local community, and restricting new construction to at least 40 meters from the dunes.