Major Project To Begin In The Cockpit Country 2022/2023

The US$49-million biodiversity conservation project slated to be undertaken in the Cockpit Country has been approved for implementation by Cabinet.

Entitled “Conserving Biodiversity and Reducing Land Degradation Using an Integrated Approach”, the project is being undertaken through funding by the Government of Jamaica, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, made the announcement at last week’s (February 9) virtual post-Cabinet press briefing.

He said the project is to be implemented over a six-year period commencing in the 2022/2023 financial year, and that Cabinet will make provision for the requisite fiscal space to facilitate implementation of the project activities.

In addition, Cabinet through specific policy directives, declared the boundaries of the Cockpit Country Protected Area as well as the environmental permits related to Special Mining Lease 173, to be issued to Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partner II under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, 1991.

The objective of the project is to address the negative impacts of unsustainable development practices by establishing and operationalising a comprehensive landscape approach in the Cockpit Country that harmonises socio-economic development, sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity in this mixed-use landscape of Jamaica.

Implementation will be undertaken in association with several ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and community-based organisations (CBOs).