Ecuador declares Galapagos Islands an endangered area

Apr 11, 2007, 22:51 GMT

File photo dated 09 July 2004 of two marine iguanas near Puerto Ayora on the Galapagos islands. The Ecuadorean government said on Wednesday 11 April 2007, that this rich marine and bird eco-haven is facing a severe environmental risk due to illegal fishing and tourism. EPA/Guillermo Legaria

Quito - Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa declared the country's Galapagos archipelago - the inspiration for Charles Darwin's thoughts on evolution because of its distinctive wildlife - an ecologically-endangered area, according to media reports Wednesday.

Correa was anticipating the work of a UNESCO mission which is currently in the islands - with their unique flora and fauna - to evaluate whether the Galapagos should be incorporated into the list of threatened natural areas in the world.

Nature on this archipelago, some 1,000 kilometres off South America's Pacific coast, is at risk from pollution, tourism and the arrival of foreign animal and plant species.

In comments on Tuesday, Correa stressed that Ecuador 'does not need decisions from any international institution whatsoever' to accept its responsibility for the Galapagos.

'What we are unveiling is a longstanding problem in the archipelago, and it was high time to face it with responsibility, seriousness and courage,' said Correa, who was inaugurated in January.

Measures to protect the ecologically-endangered area include restrictions to air traffic, tourism and migration to the islands.