American kid’s television station Nickelodeon has announced the development of an underwater resort and amusement park on the island of Palawan, often known as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines, which has alarmed environmentalists.
The company said it would be a part of a 400-hectare undersea project showcasing the world’s marine life, giving fans the prospect to “interact with the brand and the enduring characters they love.” Palawan was chosen for the investment since it is understood to have a few of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, Ron Johnson, executive vp of Viacom International Media Networks, owner of Nickelodeon, said in an announcement emailed to AFP on Tuesday (Jan. 10).
Viacom’s initial statement announcing the project on Monday said the resort would open in 2020 and include restaurants and bars six meters below sea level. The statement said the investment “will advocate for ocean conservation.”
However, environmental group Greenpeace said it could destroy the world’s world-renowned marine ecosystem. “It’s sad and disturbing because such a big theme park won’t promote environmental protection by constructing such facilities,” Vince Cinches of Greenpeace Southeast Asia told AFP.
“Why build an observation deck when you can enjoy the whole paradise?” Conservation groups call Palawan “the last frontier” for its pristine coastlines and forests which might be among the many oldest and most diverse in Southeast Asia.
Palawan is home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Tubbataha Underground River and Coral Reefs. Palawan environmental activist Grizelda Mayo-Anda also expressed concern.
“I’m cautious because we’ve got had problems before with resorts in-built mangrove areas,” Mayo-Anda, executive director of the Environmental Legal Aid Center, told AFP. “I am very concerned because sometimes, with all due respect to the local government unit, we get carried away by new projects and do not sensibly examine their impact.”
Viacom’s Philippine partner, Coral World Park, insisted the resort wouldn’t harm the environment. “We are taking very, very careful measures to make sure that we keep the biodiversity intact,” Coral World Park president Paul Monozca told AFP. The Palawan Sustainable Development Council, a government body, said the project had not yet been approved.
Source : straittimes.com
