East Point Plantation Nature Reserve

 nature reserve, plantation

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Diego Garcia and the other islands within BIOT are largely unspoiled, and it is important they remain so. On Diego Garcia, the old East Point Plantation area remains completely untouched since the days of the early copra plantation. Development and construction are not permitted in this area. Entrance to the plantation is restricted and a pass must be obtained from the BIOT Police Station.

Until 1971, Diego Garcia's main source of income was from the profitable copra oil plantation. At one time copra oil from Diego Garcia and other nearby islands provided fine machine oil and fuel to light European lamps. During approximately 70 years of plantation life, coconut harvests on Diego Garcia remained fairly constant, at about four million nuts annually, until just prior to the arrival of the U.S. Navy Seabees and the start-up of U.S. military construction.

The British wish you an enjoyable stay on Diego Garcia. Upon your arrival, please familiarize yourself with BIOT regulations and try to preserve the island's ecology.