Golf tourism is spreading rapidly all over the world. Although most people play the sport of golf because of its interaction with nature, most golfers do not realise or consider how environmentally damaging the sport can be. The booming golf trade throughout the world creates a haven for golfers and a nightmare for environmentalists.
Development of golf courses entails clearing vegetation, cutting forests and creating artificial landscapes. These activities lead to land erosion and block the soils ability to retain water. Golf courses also need large quantities of pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, which cause health problems among golfers, workers, and nearby residents. Unfortunately, these numerous problems are overlooked by developers who are often supported by governments due to the economic rewards from the sport.
Asia has gone from just 45 golf courses in 1970 to over 500 today. In Southwest Asia ecological apathy includes greens carved out of paddy fields and virgin forests. The low green fees in Asia have increased tourism to these courses as well as increasing the temptation for further golf course development. The most notorious debate among golf course development in recent years has been the plan to create a project consisting of luxury homes, hotels, restaurants, and a 7,276-yard golf course in Tepoztlan Mexico. Opponents claim that the site will endanger Atztec ruins and 28 endemic species of animals.
Development of golf courses entails clearing vegetation, cutting forests and creating artificial landscapes. These activities lead to land erosion and block the soils ability to retain water. Golf courses also need large quantities of pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, which cause health problems among golfers, workers, and nearby residents. Unfortunately, these numerous problems are overlooked by developers who are often supported by governments due to the economic rewards from the sport.
Asia has gone from just 45 golf courses in 1970 to over 500 today. In Southwest Asia ecological apathy includes greens carved out of paddy fields and virgin forests. The low green fees in Asia have increased tourism to these courses as well as increasing the temptation for further golf course development. The most notorious debate among golf course development in recent years has been the plan to create a project consisting of luxury homes, hotels, restaurants, and a 7,276-yard golf course in Tepoztlan Mexico. Opponents claim that the site will endanger Atztec ruins and 28 endemic species of animals.
