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Several persons in Port Antonio had to be evacuated from their homes on Sunday (October 30), as a result of heavy rains which pelted Portland over the weekend. The rains caused flooding, landslides and road damage in several areas of the parish, rendering a number of roads impassable, while others could only accommodate single lane traffic. The heavy rains also...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has issued 25 permits to automotive battery dealers across the island, in the agency's efforts to widen the net of collecting used lead acid batteries. Paulette Kolbusch, Manager of NEPA's Regulations, Standards and Guidelines Branch told JIS News that the permits were issued as part of the Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) Project....

The coconut beautification project being carried out on Pigeon Island has been hailed as an initiative that demonstrates that citizens do not have to always wait on government to make the first move. Director of Projects at the Coconut Industry Board, Basil Been, tells JIS News that the beautification project, which has been ongoing for some 15 years, is a...

The community of Denbigh in Clarendon now has a Disaster Preparedness Committee, which will lead the community's response efforts in the event of a disaster. The group, which is comprised of nine residents, was formed during a special community development meeting facilitated by the Social Development Commission (SDC) and held at the Denbigh United Church on Thursday (Sept. 29). Camille...

Young persons attending the Jamalco Environmental Summer Camp and athletes of the Jamalco Track Club in Clarendon got an opportunity yesterday (July 28), to hold the high tech Queen's baton now being taken across Jamaica to promote the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia in March 2006. The baton will be taken on a 71-country tour before...

Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller has said that the Ministry would be implementing the 21 recommendations laid out in the Contractor General's report on the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA). Mrs. Simpson Miller was speaking in the House on July 27, where she tabled the recommendations, as well as the report of the...

Head of the Environmental Unit at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), Worrell Lyew-You, has said that bauxite companies have been complying with the required standards as it relates to the level of dust emission in the environment. According to Mr. Lyew-You, dust nuisance was the main complaint from persons living in bauxite communities, but through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)...

The Northern Jamaica Conservation Association (NJCA), has embarked on an environmental education project. The project, supported by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), CHASE Fund, St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and Macmillan Caribbean, is aimed at beautifying the town of Ocho Rios with artwork in an attractive, long-lasting format that will promote appreciation and conservation of the natural environment. Environmentalist...

Users of the Priory beach and Seville River in St. Ann are benefiting from more aesthetic surroundings thanks to the efforts of the Marcus Garvey Technical High School 4-H Club. The club members recently cleaned up the facilities as part of their Environmental Challenge Project. 4-H Club leader at the school, Glenroy Williams, told JIS News that the project, which...

The Land and Environment Ministry has pledged to have its proposed National Minerals Policy before Parliament by year-end. Director of the Ministry's Mine Monitoring Unit, Oral Rainford told JIS News that the policy titled, 'The Minerals Industry: Ensuring a Sustainable Minerals Industry' would serve to improve standards within the industry, especially the quarrying sector, and create a level playing field...

To raise the level of awareness among young people on major environmental issues and the importance of conservation and resource management, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) recently held a special seminar for schools at the Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville. In her address, CAC Chief Executive Officer, Dolsie Allen underscored the need for all consumers, including students to do their...

Members of The House of Nyahbingi tribe of Rastafarians in Manchester are to receive two large shipments of hurricane recovery items from the Rastafarian Relief Fund, a Miami-based charity set up to assist members of the Rastafarian tribe worldwide. The items, valued at over US$2,000, include non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items and clothing. The money for the purchases was raised...