The National Land Agency (NLA) is in the process of developing a “master map” for Port Maria, the parish capital of St. Mary, during the current financial year. A master map, which is a hybrid document, is designed to depict all the natural and man-made features of major towns across Jamaica. It can be used for development planning, modelling, navigation...

Scores of volunteers engaged in cleanup activities at the Fisherman’s and Dead-End beaches in St. James on Thursday (June 8) to mark World Oceans Day. Community Relations Officer at WPM Waste Management Limited, which spearheaded the day’s exercise, Sharnon Williams, told JIS News that the objective was to remove plastic waste from the beaches and underwater. Plastics that end up...

As Jamaica grapples with the impact of the prevailing drought, the Forestry Department has undertaken to water seedlings planted for the National Labour Day project, using alternatives to National Water Commission (NWC) resources. The planting of 10,000 trees along Highway 2000, in the vicinity of Hartlands, is this year’s National Labour Day project under the theme ‘Plant a Tree for...

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation is a key partner in the protection of the environment through the planting of trees and replenishing of wetlands. The organisation has been participating in the Forestry Department’s ‘Adopt-A-Hillside’ initiative since its inception in 2010, planting approximately 7,000 trees on six hectares of hillside, to date. JPS Foundation also sponsored the Forestry Department’s recently...

Members of the St. James Municipal Corporation will be planting some 50 trees at Salt Spring Primary School and Maldon High School in the parish on Labour Day, Tuesday, May 23. This was disclosed by Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Leeroy Williams, while delivering remarks during a Workers’ Week Church Service on Sunday (May 21). The service, which was held...

A $7-million non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) ‘Adopt-A-Mangrove’ programme. The MOU was signed by NEPA, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation Limited and the JPS Company Limited, at a ceremony held at the NEPA Headquarters in Kingston on Thursday, May 18. Chief Executive Officer, NEPA, Peter Knight, said the signing...

The Government remains committed to providing an enabling framework to support the conservation and management of the country’s natural ecosystems to build climate resilience and promote a sustainable blue economy. Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, in making the declaration noted that strides have been made in this regard....

Further to the notice issued on Saturday 22 April regarding the temporary closure of Reach Falls, the public is further advised that the attraction will remain closed until it is safely able to welcome guests. During a joint site visit by representatives of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)...

Developers and citizens interested in learning about the regulations and guidelines that govern development in any given area are being encouraged to examine the Development Orders prepared by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). A Development Order is a legal document used to guide land use in the area to which it applies. It enables the Local Planning Authority...