One Million Trees to be Planted Under Navel String Project
By: , February 14, 2015The Key Point:
Photo: Shutterstock
Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (centre), and Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (right), are engaged in discussion by Chief Executive Officer, SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH), John Gayle, during Tuesday’s (February 17) launch of SCJH’s “Navel String” tree planting project at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) artificial groundwater facility, at Innswood, St. Catherine. One million trees are earmarked to be planted over the next four years under the initiative, at a cost of over $25 million.The Facts
- The project will be launched on Tuesday (February 17), at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) Artificial Ground Water Aquifer Recharge Facility, located on Old Harbour Road in St. Catherine.
- The tree planting project aims to, among other things, increase local food production; providing a source of fruits to boost agro-processing; provide employment and culture change in schools and communities; reduce the country’s carbon foot print;
The Full Story
One million trees are to be planted over the next four years under the navel string project being undertaken by SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH).
The project will be launched on Tuesday (February 17), at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) Artificial Ground Water Aquifer Recharge Facility, located on Old Harbour Road in St. Catherine.
Several ministries and agencies as well as neighbouring schools will be participating in the launch.
The Ministries are: Agriculture; Local Government and Community Development; Education; Health; and Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change.
Representatives from the Forestry Department; Social Development Commission (SDC); National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA); the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, among other stakeholders will also be attendance.
The tree planting project aims to, among other things, increase local food production; providing a source of fruits to boost agro-processing; provide employment and culture change in schools and communities; reduce the country’s carbon foot print; increase the country’s stock of lumber trees; protect water sheds; and supporting the national climate change initiative.
SCJH will be engaging a number of youth clubs, schools, civic organizations and communities in the process.
The tree planting initiative is expected to generate consideration from other organizations that will sustain the project. Educational programmes are to be carried out to inform the public about the initiative and how they can get involved.