There has been distressing news recently for Jamaica’s endangered Cockpit Country. We all knew it was looming on the horizon, and now it is here. I am sharing with you an article written by Jamaican environmental writer Zadie Neufville for Inter Press Services, and reposted on her blog. It provides an excellent account of what has transpired, so far, in our precious Cockpit Country – the largest remaining area of primary forest on our island and a biodiversity “hot spot.” Please read, consider and share…
By Zadie Neufville
The following article was first publishd by InterPress Service on June 4, 2015
For Jamaica, planting more trees as a way to build resilience is one of the highest priorities of the government’s climate change action plan. So when Cockpit Country residents woke up to bulldozers in the protected area, they rallied to get answers from the authorities.
On May 18, Noranda Bauxite Limited acted on 2004 mining leases and moved its heavy equipment into the outer areas of the Cockpit Country, ignoring unresolved boundary issues. Their actions reignited a simmering row between stakeholders and government over demarcation and protection of the biologically diverse area.
Whilst the company denies that it has begun mining, its officials admit to prospecting. Noranda’s actions however, raised suspicions that government had reneged on a promise made in 2006 when several prospecting leases issued to Alumina Partners were revoked. Back then, authorities…
View original post 930 more words
Petchary's Blog 
One thought on “As Jamaica’s Prime Forests Decline, Row Erupts Over Protection”