Increased Management Of Protected Areas

Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says increased management will be given to the island’s more than 300 protected areas.

Making his contribution to the 2021/2022 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 4, he outlined that a new Protected Areas Policy for Jamaica will shortly replace the 1997 policy, to provide a “comprehensive framework” for the management of the protected areas and 26 Watershed Management Units (WMUs).

“These WMUs are critical to the island’s economic and social growth, as they supply potable water, directly support lives and livelihoods in several sectors, including agriculture and industry, and are some of the island’s most important wetlands, habitats for many of its endemic species,” the Minister said.

He noted that during the 2021/2022 financial year, the Ministry will be pursuing amendments to the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) Act, to address issues related to fines and offences, revocation of permits and licences issued by the Authority.

Amendments will also be done on the Wild Life Protection Act, to include provisions for regulating invasive and potentially invasive species, increased fines and penalties. The regulations will be promulgated under the NRCA Act.

The Minister told the House that the Ministry will be collaborating with the Forestry Department on amendments of the Forest Act and Forest Regulations to “align these pieces of legislation with the tenets of the Forestry Policy for Jamaica”.

Work will also be completed to establish legislative framework for the practice of meteorology in Jamaica.

Mr. Charles Jr. reported that on March 21, Cabinet approved the Black River Protected Landscape and Seascape area, and the Order will be effected shortly, while the Pedro Cays and surrounding waters will also come under protection, to increase the country’s marine areas under legal protection.