More than 200 illegal UTVs and ATVs are damaging Aruba’s nature and undercutting legal tour operators, Tour Operators Uni representative Jimmy Douglas said during the Enfoke program, 24ora reported on October 16.
In a separate development the same day, Diario reported that private landowners in the Wariruri area say their rights are being ignored in the ongoing legal battle over motorized vehicles in nature areas — adding a new voice to an already complex dispute.
Illegal vehicles in nature
Douglas told Enfoke that the unlicensed vehicles harm fragile natural areas while creating unfair competition for operators who follow the rules. The remarks come as pressure mounts for stricter enforcement of off-road activity on the island.
Landowners enter the fray
Several owners of privately held land in the Wariruri area say their property rights are not being respected in the dispute between UTV and ATV tour operators, the Aruba Birdlife Conservation foundation (ABC) and the Arikok nature organization. The landowners have authorized the local Rainbow Warriors Core Foundation, led by Milton Ponson, to act on their behalf and press for greater respect for private landowners.
The court case
ABC, led by Greg Peterson, filed summary proceedings against Land Aruba (the government) and the Aruba Conservation Foundation over motorized traffic in nature areas. A hearing scheduled for October 15 was postponed to November 12 — a delay also noted by english.24ora on October 15.
What happens next
Attention now turns to the November 12 hearing, which is expected to shape how — and where — motorized tours can operate in Aruba’s protected landscapes.
