The islands of Grenada and Carriacou, together with Petite Martinique, form a three-island state. Carriacou itself is the largest, southern island of the Grenadines archipelago that stretches between Grenada and St Vincent.
This whole set of islands is a real paradise on earth, with numerous unspoilt beaches where you can feel like Robinson Crusoe. Some of the more tucked-away islands in the chain have become favourite secretive destinations for the rich and famous, as if anyone in their right mind might be trying to find them.
The natural treasures of islands like these are something to be nurtured and protected, especially the incredible wildlife. Man has lived in such a state of harmony with nature here that as the outer world starts inevitably to encroach there’s always the danger that the balance might be upset.
Although it’s impossible in these days of, hopefully, enlightened awareness that visitors to the islands are going to blast indigenous species to extinction as they did the hapless Dodo and gargantuan Moa a few hundred years ago, it’s as well to be on the safe side. Denuded natural habitats can have a more devastating effect on a secluded island’s wildlife than any gun.
With this in mind, Grenada and Carriacou have set up National Parks to make sure their greatest asset is kept safe for future generations of residents as well as tourists to enjoy.
The 30-acre Grand Etang National Park in Grenada is just a few miles outside the capital, St George’s, set in a mountain range and focused around Grand Etang Lake. There are plenty of things for visitors to do there, with a visitors’ centre, numerous treks and walks, and a wealth of well-presented information about the rich wildlife and plants of the island.
A mangrove swamp in the North East of the island has been converted into Levera National Park, and has its own distinctive character. Leatherback turtles can be seen flopping their laborious way up beaches to lay their eggs and there’s a wealth of coral and marine life to admire.
For birdwatchers, you can’t beat St Antoine for its waterfowl, kites and finches, whilst at Bay Gardens near St Pauls you can have a conducted tour of the magnificent gardens containing over 5,000 different species of plants.
With whale-watching, hiking and diving to keep you occupied, there’s hardly a dull moment in the National Parks of Grenada.
Carriacou’s national park is necessarily on a smaller scale than its neighbour’s, but Belair National Park on Carriacou contains some French and English ruins amongst the more natural attractions. Plantation buildings and windmills are all that remain of a dodgy colonial past. It seems fitting that these old vestiges of power are being reclaimed by the plants and animals, and the old disturbing dreams of greed and prejudice laid to rest by the spirit of the island itself.
When you visit Grenada and Carriacou’s national parks, it’s nice to know that their resources of often unique plants and animals are being intelligently and effectively nurtured, and that Paradise Lost is not on the agenda.
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