The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS 

Tribune Staff Reporter 

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller says he plans to revisit previously cleared illegal charcoal-burning sites and inspect new locations in a renewed effort to stamp out unregulated coal production in southern New Providence.

The move follows a months-long silence on the issue, which captured public attention in January when authorities destroyed two illicit operations linked to environmental degradation and health concerns.

“We are looking at a couple of areas because really we want to continue to send a strong message – a zero-tolerance one – and so my constituency obviously is a hotbed for those activities,” he told reporters yesterday.

He said he intends to personally revisit the sites that were previously dismantled to ensure no activity has resumed.

“I am hearing of potentially some other areas, and we will be visiting them, and we will be eradicating them and destroying them to make certain that they are not able to utilise them for that purpose,” he said.

In January, a long-running site near Fire Trail Road and another off Carmichael Road were demolished by authorities, including members of the Forestry Unit and the Ministry of Works. One site had reportedly been smouldering for over a week, drawing complaints from residents and raising the alarm about air pollution and illegal activity in protected areas.

Mr Miller said at the time that the operation fulfilled his ministry’s promise to address the matter. He announced plans to deploy drones, expand surveillance, and personally inspect known sites to prevent illegal production from resurfacing.

He also acknowledged the underlying demand for charcoal but maintained that any future production must be properly regulated and kept away from residential zones. Several Bahamians, he said, have since approached the ministry with proposals for legal, sustainable charcoal operations.

In addition to the illegal sites, officials also investigated breaches in nearby wetlands. A cease-and-desist order was issued for unauthorised activity in those areas, and Mr Miller warned that penalties would be enforced for environmental violations.

Despite these strong declarations, the government has provided little follow-up on the status of enforcement actions or whether any individuals were held accountable. No charges have been publicly confirmed.