Shark Bay Is Now A National Park
Another 18.4 acres of land will be preserved as a national park in the British Virgin Islands. The property, at Shark Bay in Brewer's Bay was donated to the BVI National Parks Trust by the Nitkin family.
The declaration of the Alexander H. & Gaby Nitkin Nature Reserve took place on the morning of Saturday November 25th. A ceremony was held at Fishlock Hall in the evening to commemorate the official handing over of the title. The property was actually transferred on the 9th of April last year. "This donation comes at a pivotal point in the history of the Trust. It underscores the heightened awareness of persons who own sites of ecological importance in the BVI of the need to preserve these assets for posterity," said Mrs. Esther Georges, Deputy Director of the NPT. She said the Trust deeply appreciates this gift and will ensure that the park is maintained in its current pristine condition. Chairman of the National Parks Trust Mrs. Janice George-Creque expressed appreciation to Mrs. Nitkin for her generosity to the people of the islands. "The transfer of Shark Bay is in every way significant," she stated.
According to Mrs. George-Creque, the records show that in the early 1970s when the Nitkins acquired the property, one of the conditions attached to the agreement was that the land be maintained as a nature reserve. What has happened with the transfer is that Shark Bay is no longer a private nature reserve but one that is now open to be enjoyed by the people of this territory and visitors to our shores. "They can now enter upon this national park, enjoy its tranquillity and its beauty, something for which the British Virgin Islands, in its own way, is special and unique," she said. Mrs. Gaby Nitkin recalled falling in love with the BVI the first time she and her husband visited in 1963 and the striking beauty of the place. She also spoke to the warmth and character of citizens, which she said makes the BVI unique and the lengthy process they went through to actually acquire the property.
"So after several years of discussion and through several purchases, we finally took title to the land, including the acreage being dedicated today and we spent many happy years here, laying out and developing a plan for an orderly and aesthetically sensitive development," Mrs. Nitkin recounted. She said her husband enjoyed designing and tending his garden. The Nitkins were charter members of the Hibiscus Society, became life members of the Botanic Society and members of the National Parks Trust. The late Mr. Alexander Nitkin was a devoted Rotarian and they were charter members of the Historical Society. "We engaged in and enjoyed all aspects of life on Tortola and the BVI," she said. But Mrs. Nitkin said aside from all this, it is the memory of the special relationships they have had over the years with so many BV Islanders that lingers so fondly. "It is in honour of all those kind people and all those who we never had a chance to meet, that we wish to dedicate the land as a trust for the enjoyment of future generations of Virgin Islanders. We look forward to a continuing relationship with the BVI (that is why I have all my family here); my husband would be very proud and happy to see his original vision and efforts realized this way." Mrs. Nitkin said her family hopes that the people of the BVI would continue to receive custody of these natural areas of the islands, which extend the scope of the national parks system as a precious heritage for future generations of the BVI.
Son Roger Nitkin indicated to the Trust that the family indeed regards the donation as a token of appreciation of the kindness and warm feelings shown over the years by the people of the British Virgin Islands to his parents. "My father always considered the land at Brewer's Bay to be the most beautiful spot on earth. To dedicate this land to the enjoyment and education of BV Islanders, is the ultimate fulfilment of everything I associate with my father."
Director of the BVI National Parks Trust Joseph Smith-Abbott noted that Shark Bay has several striking ecological features, which include very large boulders and forms a unique cave once inhabited by bats but is now a resting place for weary hikers. There is also a collection of orchids nestled between the boulders and several pelicans enjoy the bay. "Our mission is, and continues to be, to preserve and manage designated national and cultural sites, in order to improve the quality of life of the people of the British Virgin Islands," he reiterated. This transfer was the first of its kind for the BVI whereby land was actually donated to the Trust. Mr. Smith-Abbott said the Nitkins blazed the trail that will enable future donations to be facilitated. Several family members received tokens of appreciation from the National Parks Trust. The honourees included Mrs. Gaby Nitkin, Roger Nitkin, Bradley Nitkin, Regina Pollack and Leslie Leventhal.