Forest Policy to be Completed Soon

MONTEGO BAY – Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, says that the new forest policy being crafted is expected to be completed soon for submission to Cabinet.

He said that following Cabinet's approval, a series of public consultations will be held to discuss the document with the various stakeholder groups. "At the end of the process, Jamaica should have a forest policy that is comprehensive and able to respond to the needs of the changing forest environment," Minister Pickersgill stated.

He was speaking on Friday (Nov. 23) at the official launch of the Sawyers Local Forest Management Committee (LFMC) in Trelawny.

The Minister said he was "especially pleased" to be present at the launch as Sawyers is situated near to the Cockpit Country, which contains one of the most important forest reserves on the island.

He noted that the Cockpit Country supplies 40 per cent of Jamaica's freshwater resources and is home to a number of indigenous plants and animals.  "In fact, 27 of the 28 bird species that are only found in Jamaica live in the Cockpit Country.  It is also home to 1,500 species of plants and several species of amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates," Minister Pickersgill informed.

"The area is critical to our cultural and environmental heritage.  We must therefore do everything in our power to preserve and protect it now, for future generations.  Any encroachment on this Cockpit Country, for whatever perceived gains, puts us at serious risk of losing this most precious natural resource forever," he stressed.

He informed that the Ministry will be increasing the monitoring of the country's forest resources, to ensure that they were protected and that all Jamaicans comply with the laws that govern their use and protection.

He stated that citizens must begin now to focus their energies on reforestation, not just in the Cockpit Country but in all reserves island -wide.

He pointed out that the new forest policy will allow community stakeholders to utilise the country's forest areas in a sustainable manner.

Among other things, the Sawyers LFMC will have responsibility for monitoring the use of natural resources in their area and to participate in the design and execution of conservation projects.