Remember the days of the Puka Shell craze in Boracay? This throwback photo courtesy of Marcial Arac Jr. via Boracay Retrospective FB shows Yapak Beach during the height of the craze, circa 1970s. The photo shows people setting up makeshift tents, creating a whole community on the beach.
The Puka Shell craze was a big deal in Boracay. Fueled by the demand for unique, locally sourced jewelry and crafts, people came from all over to collect these unique shells. The craze led to a boom in tourism and business in Boracay, and it helped to put the island on the map as a popular tourist destination.
However, the popularity of these shells, prized for their distinctive texture and shape, led to over-collection, impacting the local ecosystem.
The photograph serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between economic development and environmental sustainability. While the Puka Shell craze brought prosperity to Boracay, it also highlighted the need for responsible resource management and conservation efforts to protect the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
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