As I mentioned recently, Jamaica House has opened a new petition portal – rather like President Obama’s White House petition page. Jamaica Environment Trust and a range of civil society/environmental advocates have opened a petition to Save Cockpit Country. Yes, I have written about this many times before, and there have been public consultations, many articles written. The residents of the area (including the Maroons) have trekked to Kingston to lobby Government offices.
We must support the Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group! The petition needs MANY more signatures in the next 30 days, – not much time – so do sign and share the petition widely with all your contacts at home and abroad! We need this to “go viral”…
Scroll down a little to find the petition here.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170406/cockpit-country-indecision “The decision is made,” said PM Holness back in April. “it is just the technical issues that are being worked out.”
Following the launch of a new petition portal by Jamaica House, civil society groups and concerned individuals have uploaded a Save Cockpit Country petition, which can be found at http://opm.gov.jm/participate/jamaica-house-petition/
The Jamaica House portal requires a minimum of 15,000 signatures in 30 days before the Government of Jamaica will consider and respond to the petition.
The petition calls on the Prime Minister to establish the boundary of Cockpit Country to include hydrology, geomorphology, biological diversity, culture and history and points to the Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group (CCSG) boundary as being the only boundary which takes in all these factors. The petition goes on to ask the Prime Minister to close Cockpit Country to mining, quarrying and prospecting in accordance with the community consultations already held and the recommendations of the University of the West Indies boundary study completed in 2013, and declare the region a National Park.
Cockpit Country is under immediate threat from bauxite mining, which would remove forest cover, block and pollute waterways, displace residents, threaten agricultural livelihoods, compromise air quality and threaten the health and wellbeing of thousands of Jamaican citizens.
For over a decade the Government of Jamaica has delayed defining a boundary for Cockpit Country but a decision about this important matter is likely to be taken soon.
Cockpit Country is the largest remaining natural forest in Jamaica. The fresh water it stores and releases via almost 40 rivers, streams, springs, upwellings, glades and ponds supplies about 40% of Western Jamaica’s water needs. Jamaica is facing major negative impacts from Global Climate Change – unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events including drought. Ensuring the preservation of Cockpit Country promotes climate resilience, is an investment in the future, and literally means fresh water in the bank.
Cockpit Country is a symbol of resistance and triumph, as well as an important cultural and historical site for Jamaicans. It was here that the Maroons fought the British to a Treaty in 1738-9. Cockpit Country was a sanctuary for the Maroons, who still live within its borders.
The plants and animals of Cockpit Country are extraordinarily diverse. Some are found only in Jamaica, and others, especially a multitude of plants, are found only in Cockpit Country. This area is also an important ecotourism destination, especially for birdwatching.
The Save Cockpit Country campaign is asking all concerned Jamaicans to sign the petition.
Contact:
Diana McCaulay, CEO, Jamaica Environment Trust, 469-1315
Carol Narcisse, civil society advocate, 430-4705
Wendy Lee, Seven Oaks Sanctuary for Wildlife, 359-1505 or 808-1657
Leave Jamaica to the Jamaican’s…….China stay in your lane
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Whoever is or may be involved… We do not need this. This place is sacred.
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The Chinese have destroyed their country with pollution and enslaved their own people in factories. We do not need that in Jamaica. Don’t allow it in this beautiful land have pride in who we are and take back the country. If the Chinese need more people to exploit, let them do it in china. Think of the country that will be inherited by ours grandchildren. Do you want them to inherit poisoned dust? No? Then send the Chinese home with their plastic rice. Poisoned land is dead for generations.
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There are a number of different interests involved in the pressure to mine in and around the Cockpit Country (the “around” part of this is now a cause for concern, and we must remain vigilant!) I am not sure that we can point specifically to China, although the need for more bauxite to mine and process at the Nain bauxite plant must be a factor. I totally agree with you on the need to protect our country from exploitation (whether from local or overseas interests) for future generations. You are so right about the poisoned land. Bauxite mining certainly does just that: poison our land.
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men stop destroy yourself be wise we need the earth and the earth need us
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stop the mining and stop destroy humanity for short gain look at the bigger picture save our children and save yourself
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We don’t seem to think long term – at least, our leaders do not. And you are so right – we and the Earth need each other!
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Global warming is real,it’s not too late to get conscious and stop being selfish and greedy
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I agree! I think it really is greed, you know.
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save the cock Pit country
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Save the cockpit country
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Yes, I hope you have been able to sign the petition! Thank you Kimoya.
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Save Jamaica’s Cockpit Country it is home to so many indigenous plants and animals. We need to pay attention to our beautiful island and protect it the best way we know how. Go for it patriotic Jamaicans.
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Yes – we must go for it!
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I am disappointed that our national government and for that matter both political parties have allowed the bauxite company to environmentally rape our country and leave future generation improvished.When I found out the plans for cockpit country I was incensed and I am trying to mobilised the expat in the uk to sign the petition and also to let their voices heard.
Please not their is no link to sign petition on what’s app.
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Oh, that is a good question about WhatsApp. Thank you for trying to mobilise Jamaicans in the UK. I too am disappointed, but you know… It has been on the cards for a long time now.
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This is a national heritage , home to a special group of people , birds that are endogenous to the area . Not to
Mention the water shed /basin . We need to protect it at all cost .
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Yes, we do… The biodiversity, the history, the heritage…and the water.
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In support of the petition to save our water supply for example
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Of course – this is a critical consideration, among several others…
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No to deforestation
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Agreed… Especially our untouched native forest, which cannot be easily restored (if at all).
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My heart sinks knowing that we have to petition against this, where is common sense? Please for the future of our children & grandchildren keep this beautiful place as it always has been. I love out island in the sun.
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Indeed, it seems common sense to me. But greed has taken over, and not only in Jamaica. Future generations, if there are any, will hate us for it. I am afraid it will be our downfall.
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why is this petition not on Instagram? I would love to share and reach more persons but only FB and twitter? Come on. This should be on every social media site. The media isn’t even covering this story. For the love of country, Why?! sigh
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It is on Instagram. Follow @jamentrust1991 and the link is on their account. In fact if you search it has been shared many times on Instagram by others. Also I hope you have looked at the website: savecockpitcountry.org
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Hi Petchary,
Thank you for the website address. Very informative video. Hopefully, all the persons/landowners band together and not sell their lands to the mining company. We are all stakeholders though. We all drink water. We all breathe and need clean air. Some of the very produce we buy from Coronation market or wherever, are from the fringes of the cockpit country. Thank you for the work you and others have done and are doing to highlight this impending “disaster”. Hopefully, we can avoid it all together by the grace of God and the help of our people.
‘Eternal Father, bless our land and guide us with thy mighty hand. Keep us free from evil powers…’
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Thank you so much for your comments, Erica. Clean water, clean air, good food from unpolluted soil – yes, we certainly do all have a stake in that. I hope people understand this, although it’s not always easy to make the connections, I know. Thank you (and also for the quote, which is as we know, a prayer). Let us keep going, and hope for the best.
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The media has been covering the story to some extent, actually – and since this is not a new issue, they have been covering it for months and years!
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save the cockpit country
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Why? Ofter all these years of advocating, we still of to signed a petition. Leave the cockpit country alone please.
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Well, the issue has been dragging on for years due to the indecisiveness of more than one administration! Yes, it does seem ridiculous that we have to sign a petition. BUT – please do it anyway. This will send a signal to decision makers that this is still very much on our radar. STILL.
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Cockpit country is who we are.
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Yes.
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My view is as Jamaicans we do not come out in support of major issues on these matters of importance. these issues are not highlighted enough in the mainstream until deadlines or nearly reach. matters like these are to be highlighted from an early stage as majority of people has not got internet or enough knowledge or awareness about our environment. If we do not succeed with this petition we should be willing to go on marches of protest on our governments to let them know how we feel about these matters. Not everything they need to selloff we have not really benefited from any of these projects no houses, schools, hospitals or libraries built. That is my view’s and thoughts. it would be good to target young people who use social sites and people with no computer experience to use supermarkets, main shops and libraries to sign these petition.
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I agree – Jamaicans are not used to the idea of online petitions. But that can change. It’s not an ingrained thing… But I agree, these issues are not highlighted enough in the mainstream media, who are largely focused on A) politics and B) crime. And a scandal or two. I do believe though that environmental awareness is growing in Jamaica, and that this will be even more strengthened by the hurricanes this year, for example. People are starting to give it some thought. You don’t have to have internet to see for yourself in rural areas – droughts, flooding, fewer fish in the sea etc. It is easy to see that our environment is under stress and that it is affecting people’s livelihoods and lifestyles too. Also more people have access to internet even if they don’t have computers at home or work. People use their mobile phones, community centres, libraries etc. There are even wifi hotspots in Kingston and in some places outside. I absolutely agree with you, though. We need to take action, and we are trying to reach out and target young people who do have access. Thank you for your thoughts – and please share the petition!
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The COCKPIT COUNTRY
Meandering Up Firtile Hill-Side
Christened With Morning Dew
Whistling Frogs In Lime-Stone Crags
Seemed To Be Playing Me A Tune
***
I Stood Motionless
Eyes Sweeping Rugged Mountain Range
Dense Bush And Whinding Trails I Roamed In My Youth
***
And Suddenly
I Longed For The Sweet Smell Of Log-Wood Blooms
After Cooling Rain To Feel And Hear Crunching Leaves Under Foot When The Sun Came
***
To Yell Aloud At The Wild Tarrian
And Wait For It To Yell Back At Me
How Strange…
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Wow, this is beautiful and powerful. Thank you, Francis! Please keep sharing the petition.
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We must save our children futures
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Yes Peter, we must. We cannot leave them with the broken legacy of an island that we have succeeded in destroying.
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The fact that we need to even petition this still has me upset!
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Yes… me too, Jhunelle!
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As a native of Trelawny and an Environmental Policy scholar, I have to defend my parish. No mining please. Do not disturb the ecosystem! The nations physical geography is our gift. DO not sell our children’s birthright; it cannot be replaced, it cannot be bought back. The monetary gain is nothing compared to the value and the damage that would have been done. Stop being strangers in your own land.
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Strangers in your own land. Indeed… as if you are happy to participate in its destruction. Thank you for your comments, Eliza.
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Save Cockpit Country!!!
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We can and we must!
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We need to protect this area at all costs….start protecting and keeping our country for future Jamaican generations.
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I absolutely agree, Helen! Please do share the petition with friends and contacts. Thank you!
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Stop all mining on the island, preserve what is left. Absolutely no more mining. Mining companies in Jamaica, PLEASE GET OFF THE ISLAND.
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Stop all mining on the island, preserve what is left. Absolutely no more mining. Mining companies in Jamaica, PLEASE GET OFF THE ISLAND.
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Mining is the single most destructive activity for the environment, anywhere. And we are a small island. It is like a monster. Areas that have been mined never recover. The soil, landscape, ecosystem has changed…
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Save this great natural resource and watershd area
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Yes, we must. Water is a critical resource!
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It’s not often I hear of something environmentally aware before reading your blog posts. I’m proud to say I’m keeping up for once since I had signed and shared the petition already. 🙃 Thousands of signatures in 30 days is a tall order but I really hope it’s achieved. I’ve only been there once and I need even my children’s children to find it the way it is today
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Hi Rochelle: Oh, I’m glad you were aware of it already – in fact, the whole issue has been dragging on for the best part of a decade, without any Government wanting to make a decision on it. Yes, 15,000 is a tall order, but we hope everyone will share and multiply the numbers! I have been there a few times – greatest memory is of the beautiful Martha Brae River flowing so fast and deep! The Cockpit Country supplies about 40 per cent of our freshwater. Yes, why shouldn’t future generations benefit from its beauty and bounty?
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I’m doing all I can to share the petition with my friends and family. Let’s hope “a mickle makes a muckle” on this one 🙂
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Thank you so much, Rochelle! Yes – I do actually believe in that proverb! It can be effective. Or if you like, “one one coco full basket”… 🙂
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