Bitter observation from environmental groups on Cluny beach in Sainte-Rose: the passage of soldiers during the major hurricane risk prevention exercise “Caribbean 2022”, held at the end of the week, left its mark. And that’s an understatement! However, for several months the site has been the subject of measures aimed at protecting sea turtles and combating the phenomenon of coastal erosion.
During the week, the Army organized a life-size drill to rescue victims of the hurricane.
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In this context, a ship carried out the landing of hundreds of soldiers on the beach of Cluny (also called Clugny) in Sainte-Rose. This military maneuver caused some environmental damage due to the passage of machinery and the smashing of reforested areas.
The fact is that the chosen side is known to be sensitive.
In fact, combat actions are being carried out there, especially by the school children of the municipality, to stop the double phenomenon of coastal strip erosion and coastal retreat.
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But to facilitate the passage of heavy machinery, it’s possible that enclosures were torn out and then reinstalled.
Elementary school students in Ste-Rose had set up enclosures for forest regeneration. • ©Eric Stimpfling – Guadeloupe La 1ère
Also, this beach is known as a nesting site for sea turtles. It should therefore be preserved. A task in which associations, but also the Conservatoire du littoral and the National Forestry Office (ONF) are working, raising public awareness, observing the animals and protecting the eggs where necessary.
But here it is: The trucks have compacted the sand and are surveying the beach. So much so that the surface has hardened considerably.
So if eggs are buried there, the young cannot rise to the surface.
The females do not have the strength to dig to lay eggs.
The traces of the military machines are clearly visible. • ©Eric Stimpfling – Guadeloupe La 1ère
However, the army wants to have taken precautions:
For several months, the Armed Forces of the West Indies, in collaboration with the State Services, have been working on the CARAÏBES 2022 exercise scenario. The latter involves the deployment of equipment, vehicles and reinforcements to the disaster area (Guadeloupe). was developed with the DEAL, the ONF, the Conservatoire du littoral, the National Park of Guadeloupe and environmental protection associations. After this exchange, the eastern area of the Clugny beach was preferred by all to respect the ecosystem and in particular the nesting area of the sea turtles identified in Clugny West. Before landing these reinforcements from the sea, all checks were carried out to confirm the absence of a nest. After the last passages, the beach was completely cleaned. The FAA has also changed landing zones for airplanes to respect the nesting sites of protected bird species. CARIBBEAN 2022, which ends today, has achieved a single goal: to stand ready together to face the beginning hurricane season. All governmental and non-governmental actors have expressed their satisfaction at jointly conducting an exercise that prepares us to help the population after a cyclone has passed.
Communications Service of the Armed Forces in the West Indies
Contacted, the ONF and the Conservatoire du littoral could not answer our questions on this subject.