The Negril Great Morass and Royal Palm Reserve in Negril, Westmoreland, are to be restored under a Government of Jamaica/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project titled ‘Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States’ (IWECO).

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda made the announcement in his State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday (January 19, 2024).

“The importance of the Negril Great Morass cannot be overemphasized.  Indeed, the Morass is one of the largest natural coastland ecosystems in the Caribbean region and is the habitat for several internationally significant species and has a high level of endemism”, Minister Samuda explained.

Meanwhile, the Minister stated that the Royal Palm Reserve which is home to several endemic species of palms and birds would also be restored under the IWECO Project.   He added that the government intends to rebuild the viewing station on the Reserve.

“Thankfully because of the funding of the GEF and through this UNEP Project we’ve been able to do the design work and the preparatory work, so we’ll go through the investment process to bring this project back to reality”.

Minister Samuda expressed the hope that access to the new facility will prompt interest in the environment, particularly among students who will visit the location for field trips.

He added that the Reserve would also be opened up as a critical green space, for families in the Negril area, as well as visitors to the island.

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