Two eco-tourisVm projects have added to the attractions of Anguilla for visitors to the island. They are the Big Spring Heritage Site, an Amerindian ceremonial cavern at Island Harbour, and the East End Pond Conservation Area.

The Big Spring features various rock markings, and like the Fountain Cavern at Shoal Bay North, was used by the Amerindians for their ceremonial gatherings. An attractive wooden walkway has been constructed at the Big Spring, providing easy access to the site which, apart from its historical value, has been a source of water to residents at Island Harbour for washing and animal husbandry many years ago.
The East End Pond Conservation Area is a bird-watching site with two recently-built observation facilities in place. It is an area frequented by various local birds as well as a number of migratory species.
The projects were developed by the Anguilla National Trust, the Island Harbour and East End communities and government agencies. The idea was to conserve the cultural heritage and natural habitat of the sites for future generations while at the same time allowing visitors and residents to enjoy the history and culture of the sites in a structured and organised manner.

The overall budget for the implementation of the Big Spring Heritage project amounted to EC$147,100 and the cost of the East End Pond Conservation Area was EC$359,500. Of those amounts, the OECS Environmental Sustainable Development Unit donated EC$112,500 and EC$122,500 respectively through its small projects facility sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency. The remaining funds comprised inputs by the Anguilla Government in terms of land and other in-kind contributions.

The implementation of the projects was done through a tri-partite arrangement involving the community, the Anguilla National Trust and the Chief Minister’s Office. The continued management and future development of the sites will be the overall responsibility of the National Trust.

Cutting of the ribbon to the Big Spring Heritage Site by Dr. Vasantha Chase along with Samuel Connor

The two projects were officially opened on Friday, March 21. The speakers were Roland Hodge, Principal Assistant Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office who chaired the ceremony; Karim Hodge who gave background information on both projects; Griffin Webster, Chairman of the Big Spring Action Committee; Audrey Rogers, Chairperson of the Council for the Conservation of the East End Pond; Avon Carty, President of the National Trust Council; Dr. Vasantha Chase of the OECS Environmental Sustainable Development Unit; and Parliamentary Secretary Samuel Connor.

Cross section of attendees

The various speakers emphasised the importance of the two eco-tourism projects to Anguilla and appealed to the people of the island to care the sites as part of the local cultural and historical heritage.

Attendees at the opening ceremony. Minister of Infrastructure Kenneth Harrigan

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