Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the Government has noted concerns about the possibility of the Blue and John Crow Mountains being in danger of losing their UNESCO World Heritage Site status and will be taking steps to address the issues.

Minister Vaz who was speaking at the launch of the National Tree Planting Initiative and the 17^th staging of National  Tree Planting Day this morning (October 4) at Jamaica House, made reference to a newspaper headline this week asserting that the slash and burn methods being employed by coffee farmers who own or lease lands within the area, are incrementally destroying the designated area.

“This is a delicate matter but one that the Government is taking very seriously and therefore will be giving the matter immediate and urgent attention with a view to arriving at a feasible solution for all stakeholders. As such, I will be convening a meeting in short order with the relevant Government agencies and stakeholders”, Minister Vaz said.

He noted that if the forests are cut down without regard for sustainable forest management, the watersheds will be degraded and the nation’s water supply challenges will worsen in the future. 

“We are barely emerging from one of the worst drought experiences, where even traditionally rainy parishes such as Portland, were affected”, Minister Vaz said, adding that the Government will  be taking proactive steps to protect and preserve the country’s forest cover, through the implementation of projects such as the Support for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Readiness Preparation Project.

The REDD+ Project is, being implemented by the Forestry Department is funded by the Green Climate Fund in the amount of US$613,000.

The launch ceremony for the National Tree Planting Initiative was held under the theme “Three Million Trees in Three Years … Plant a tree today, for a Prosperous Tomorrow”.

Minister Vaz noted that the launch of the Initiative which was announced recently by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, when he delivered Jamaica’s Policy statement at the General Debate at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, is a strong indicator of how seriously the Government is taking the effects of climate change, and how much work it will be undertaking to become climate resilient.

He added that it is only fitting that the launch should fall on the same day as the 17th staging of National Tree Planting Day which is being celebrated this year under the theme, “Plant yuh owna tree, an some fi di res’ a we.  Give back to your community”.

He noted that the National Tree Planting Initiative and the annual celebration of National Tree Planting Day will serve to further increase awareness among all Jamaicans, about the vital role that trees play in our lives. 

“Three million trees in three years is an ambitious, but achievable target.  The trees we plant today, tomorrow, and in coming years, will symbolize a nation that is alive, prosperous and growing, and so I want to urge all Jamaicans to obtain their seedlings from Forestry Department nurseries and select offices across the island”, he added.

“Go out and ‘Plant yuh owna tree, an some fi di res’ a we….Give back to your community’, he stressed, while emphasizing that Jamaicans should immediately get on board and “plant a tree today, for a prosperous tomorrow”.

-30-