A Blur of Holland Bamboo Avenue

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

I'm at it again! This time I spent one day driving through 11 parishes excepting St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary. Bamboo Avenue in St. Bess reminds me of a gateway to serenity with striking arches of green canopy. This two and a half mile stretch of road between Lacovia and Middle Quarters is a must see on the South Coast. The sad reality is that this enchanting avenue might not be famous for bamboo in the future since it is being cut at a rapid rate by vandals and affected by fire from poor agricultural practices. If the bamboo is not replanted, it will all just disappear. Cultural heritage tourism is the life blood of our tourism industry. We must advocate for the sustainability of this avenue as it pertains to preservation and restoration. Sure, the parish council plays its part but the community must also get involved in the management and protection of its physical resources. Getting involved means that the community has shared interest in environmental protection and development of the avenue. I charge us to appreciate the value of our heritage products. They age and are in need of restoration and the onus is on every stakeholder involved to play their part to ensure continuity of the product. Bamboo Avenue is a space that has been made into a place...and if it becomes further neglected it will be a forgotten memory or something of a blur that once existed.