Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Observer of October 22, 2014 carried a story in Envionment Watch on the updating of Jamaica National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at a cost of some US$250,000.00 or roughly J$28 million. There were the usual platitudes, assurances and commitments from various government officials, but there was no reported assessment of the success of the first 10 years of the NBSAP.
The most cursory glance at this document will reveal significant failures. For example, of the five priority parks which were to have been declared, only one (Mason River) was in fact declared. A raft of policy documents remain in draft, some approaching 20 years old. Promised increases in fines and penalties have not materialised. Wetlands continue to be cleared, both legally and illegally. The commitment to declare a wildlife sanctuary on Great Goat Island for some of our endangered species is under direct threat.
Jamaica Environment Trust calls on the Ministry of Land, Water, Environment, and Climate Change and the National Environment and Planning Agency to release an honest evaluation of the achievements, or lack thereof, of the NBSAP's first 10 years. Without this honest evaluation, along with some in-depth problem analysis, there is absolutely no point in spending $28 million to update the NBSAP, as it is sure to replicate the failures of the initial plan.
Diana McCaulay
Chief Executive Officer
Jamaica Environment Trust
Kingston 10
jamentrust@cwjamaica.com
The Jamaica Observer of October 22, 2014 carried a story in Envionment Watch on the updating of Jamaica National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at a cost of some US$250,000.00 or roughly J$28 million. There were the usual platitudes, assurances and commitments from various government officials, but there was no reported assessment of the success of the first 10 years of the NBSAP.
The most cursory glance at this document will reveal significant failures. For example, of the five priority parks which were to have been declared, only one (Mason River) was in fact declared. A raft of policy documents remain in draft, some approaching 20 years old. Promised increases in fines and penalties have not materialised. Wetlands continue to be cleared, both legally and illegally. The commitment to declare a wildlife sanctuary on Great Goat Island for some of our endangered species is under direct threat.
Jamaica Environment Trust calls on the Ministry of Land, Water, Environment, and Climate Change and the National Environment and Planning Agency to release an honest evaluation of the achievements, or lack thereof, of the NBSAP's first 10 years. Without this honest evaluation, along with some in-depth problem analysis, there is absolutely no point in spending $28 million to update the NBSAP, as it is sure to replicate the failures of the initial plan.
Diana McCaulay
Chief Executive Officer
Jamaica Environment Trust
Kingston 10
jamentrust@cwjamaica.com