The Chagos Islands, a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean, are celebrated not for their sheer number of species but for their ecosystem's near-natural functioning, a rarity in today's world. An aerial view of Diego Garcia highlights this pristine environment, which has been exceptionally well-preserved compared to other large tropical ecosystems globally.
The Unparalleled Value of the Chagos Ecosystem
According to Clive Hambler, a lecturer in biological and human sciences at the University of Oxford, the Chagos region's ecological integrity is of immense scientific importance. He argues that ending its pristine state could represent a greater loss of biodiversity than historical extinctions like that of the dodo, a point often overlooked in political discussions about the islands' transfer to Mauritius.
Threats from Mauritian Development Plans
Mauritius has outlined intentions for fishing and other forms of exploitation in the Chagos Islands, which Hambler warns are incompatible with protecting this last great tropical wilderness area. The ecosystem currently serves as a critical benchmark for understanding how to repair and safeguard other degraded environments worldwide.
The potential destruction is irreversible, and Hambler cautions that if politicians proceed with these plans, any future claims they make about biodiversity conservation will lack credibility. He draws a poignant comparison, suggesting that while one might hope leaders would vote to save a species like the dodo if given the chance, supporting actions that harm the Chagos could leave their conservation promises as hollow as a dodo's bones.
This situation underscores the urgent need for balanced policies that prioritise ecological preservation over short-term economic gains, ensuring that unique natural treasures like the Chagos Islands are not lost to exploitation.
