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An Opportunity for Conservation

At a time when nature and biodiversity have been severely degraded around the world, the Galapagos islands still retain more than 95% of their natural biodiversity, and most ecological processes perhaps have not been substantially altered. Therefore, from a conservation point of view, these islands represent a unique opportunity to invest in conservation. While conservation efforts around the world need much effort in restoration (a task not always biologically effective), in the Galapagos we do not need to invest as much effort in restoring biodiversity as we do in maintaining current biodiversity and preventing any further loss. However, such a privileged conservation status may not last too long; recent studies show that globally the Galapagos have one of the highest rates of biodiversity loss per unit area. If we want to preserve these Islands to posterity, the opportunity is now, as by tomorrow it might be too late. This situation reminds us of the unavoidable principle that several of today's decisions may critically affect the future of the Galapagos.

UNESCO has imposed strict codes of practice on the Galapagos, for example, the whole ocean surrounding the Archipelago and 97% of all land area is controlled and monitored under the Galapagos Marine Reserve and National Park which has around 56 landing sites with specific trails and boundary lines to adhere to which helps protect further these untouched pristine lands from man.

The sites have also been specially selected to give the visitors the widest selection possible on the various faunas, flowers and surrounding wilderness that are endemic only to these islands for a once in a lifetime experience that will never be repeated unless revisited. Periodically certain trails or islands are closed to tourists due to overcrowding or kept to minimum quotas only permitting the smaller boats to land. The main reason for this strategy is to allow the nature to recuperate itself and take a break from the plethora of tourists that tread the lands because some damage is always caused due to the fragility of the nature that exists here.

Important: Please never leave any trash on the islands as it may be hazardous to wildlife and never touch plants or wildlife or feed them because our foods are alien to them, in any case they can feed themselves and have been self sufficient for hundreds of thousands of years and don't need our help or concern.