The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) has approved the release of approximately 1,324 hectares of lands in St. Ann for mining to Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners. Chief Executive Officer and Government Town Planner, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Peter Knight, made the disclosure during a virtual stakeholder briefing on the ‘NRCA’s Decision on Noranda’s Application for Mining in Special...

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has commenced work on a multi-million-dollar project to protect the Montego Bay waterfront in St. James. The project involves the restoration of six groynes to mitigate against further erosion of the city’s shoreline and prevent severe flooding. Speaking at the St. James Municipal Corporation’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony held at Harmony Beach Park on Monday...

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) are being encouraged to institute strong monitoring, compliance, and accountability frameworks to ensure that corruption does not restrict access to climate finance, and to facilitate timely implementation of climate change interventions for the benefit of the region’s citizens. President of the organisation, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, in making the call, noted that...

The National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) has given grants to six entities, whose nature-based proposals will help to provide solutions for economic recovery in Jamaica’s Protected Areas. Grantees are the University of the West Indies Centre for Marine Sciences, Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory; Negril Area Environmental Protection Trust; Oracabessa Marine Trust; White River Marine Association; Alloa Fisherman’s Co-operative...

With the continued expansion of urban developments across the country, the Forestry Department has been putting in place several projects and initiatives to ensure these areas are adequately greened and environmentally friendly. This was disclosed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Department and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry, who noted that these interventions are vital to preventing environmental...

Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says Jamaica can capitalise on the growing ecotourism sector through the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in preserving and conserving the country’s rich biodiversity. He noted that there are travellers “who want to go on hikes and who want to go on trails and who just want...

Essex Valley in St. Elizabeth has been selected as a pilot area for soil sampling under the Soil Fertility Mapping Project. This was disclosed by Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Orville Palmer, during the virtual World Soil Day technical forum yesterday (December 2), organised by the Agricultural Land Management Division (ALMD). The technical capacity-building project will be...