Executive Director, National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon (left), launches the Plastic Separation Initiative at the Portmore Pines Community Centre in St. Catherine on July 26. Looking on is Immediate Past Vice President, Portmore Pines Citizens’ Association, Earlia Wellington. The NSWMA has partnered with Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) to undertake the project. Portmore Pines consists of 867...

A massive beautification project is being planned for the town of Lucea ahead of activities to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Hanover in November. The parish, located in western Jamaica, was incorporated on November 12, 1723. The year-long tercentennial celebrations will kick off on the date of the anniversary and run until December 31, 2024. At a special meeting of...

The active involvement of private-sector entities, civil society and local communities is deemed paramount in tackling challenges relating to water, one of Jamaica’s most precious resources.   This, according to Clehan Williams, Advisor to the Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda.  Mr. Williams was addressing the Draft Watershed Policy Townhall...

The Forestry Department is playing a key role in safeguarding the country’s forests, which are vital in sustaining watersheds and ensuring access to clean, fresh, water resources for both human and ecological needs. Forests contribute to water regulation, soil conservation, water-quality maintenance, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration, among other things. Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Department and...

Minister of Labour and Social Security and Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Eastern, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr (right), prepares to plant a seedling at Jackson Bay in the parish, while Global Diaspora Initiative Programme Manager, Acinette Nelson (left), assists by watering the area. Looking on (from second left) are Bishop of Grace Deliverance Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York, Bishop...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Mining says it will continue scaling up onion production in St. Thomas, even as it notes that farmers there have been mastering the growing of the crop. Speaking on Friday (June 23) during the parish’s annual agricultural show at the Rudolf Elder Park in Morant Bay, State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, said that for the...

The National Land Agency (NLA) is in the process of developing a “master map” for Port Maria, the parish capital of St. Mary, during the current financial year. A master map, which is a hybrid document, is designed to depict all the natural and man-made features of major towns across Jamaica. It can be used for development planning, modelling, navigation...

Scores of volunteers engaged in cleanup activities at the Fisherman’s and Dead-End beaches in St. James on Thursday (June 8) to mark World Oceans Day. Community Relations Officer at WPM Waste Management Limited, which spearheaded the day’s exercise, Sharnon Williams, told JIS News that the objective was to remove plastic waste from the beaches and underwater. Plastics that end up...

As Jamaica grapples with the impact of the prevailing drought, the Forestry Department has undertaken to water seedlings planted for the National Labour Day project, using alternatives to National Water Commission (NWC) resources. The planting of 10,000 trees along Highway 2000, in the vicinity of Hartlands, is this year’s National Labour Day project under the theme ‘Plant a Tree for...