Large scale destruction of springs in Coronie

The Coronie District will reportedly pay the price for the reckless mining of shells. Nearly all of the coconut district’s freshwater springs located in the Coppename region have become brackish due to the disruption of the composition of the soil. If no alternatives for the production of potable water are presented, that part of the district will keep dealing with a chronic shortage of water. For now water trucks will keep on providing water supplies to the Coppename region. The only way to produce potable water in that region is by filtering the swamp and surface water. Officials are currently looking for efficient ways of doing so. “It will remain a challenge,” said Natural Resources Minister Regilio Dodson. “We must keep on transporting water as an emergency solution but we are still looking for a structural solution,” said the minister. “It is strange. It is unfortunate but this is the reality that we are being confronted with.”

Residents keep complaining about the illegal and reckless digging of shells and sand. The Coronie residents have also expressed grave concern about the huge craters that are left behind and which eventually become deep lakes. Minister Dodson made it clear that firm action is taken against perpetrators but that the ministry lacks the manpower to address the issue on all fronts. “We stop all of the illegal activities that we see. We confiscate everything that is on the locations. But we do not have enough eyes and ears. That does not justify it. We want activities in the mining sector that are in accordance with the law.”

Reports indicate that people have also started digging up shells alongside the streets in the district. Minister Dodson confirmed the reports.