WILLEMSTAD - The heavy rainfall that struck the west side of Curaçao last Saturday morning, May 4th, caused significant damage to beaches, roads, and natural areas. Unfortunately, both the Christoffel National Park and the Shete Boka National Park, managed by Carmabi, have also been heavily affected.
Damage in Christoffel National Park
The short route to the Christoffelberg is fortunately still open to visitors. However, the long route remains impassable due to a thick layer of moss causing slippery conditions, making it dangerous for vehicles. The northern route is currently closed due to mud and washed-away vegetation, blocking the asphalt road in the Mahokkenbos area. Equipment will be brought in on Monday, May 6th, to clear the road. Additionally, the sandy road to Boca Grandi has become inaccessible as large amounts of sand have washed into the bay.
Along the Road to Westpunt, fallen trees and eroded ground have significantly damaged the fencing and fences, with an estimated length of 800 meters. The red hiking trail in the northern part of the park is impassable due to damage to the stone dams. The wooden bridge at the deer gate has been destroyed, and the culverts for water drainage have been washed away.
Damage in Shete Boka National Park
In Shete Boka National Park, the gravel on the path from the parking lot to Boka Tabla has been washed away, making the path difficult to traverse for visitors.
Accessibility and Restoration Work
Despite the damage, both parks remain open, albeit with limited accessibility on certain routes and paths. Carmabi is actively working on restoration efforts and aims to complete all repairs in the coming days. Visitors can still climb the Christoffelberg and enjoy Shete Boka.
Restoration and Nature Conservation
Carmabi is seizing this opportunity to utilize nature-friendly restoration methods. "We want to work with nature and the materials present in that location, rather than importing materials that don't belong there," says Carmabi director Manfred van Veghel.
