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Overview of the State of the Environment
- The environment of Jamaica has been summarized in the past by reference to the country
as the land of wood and water. This designation was based on a loose translation of its
Amerindian/Taino name - Xaymaca. It is now debatable whether the island can be so
characterized today, as significant environmental modification has accompanied the
development of the island over the last four centuries.
- The broad-leaved humid and sub-humid pre Colombian tropical forests have largely
disappeared. Less than 6-7 percent of Jamaica's land area is still considered to be in
natural forest cover (Kelly, D.L. - The Threatened Flowering Plants Of Jamaica -
Biological Conservation 46: 201-216, 1988). This forested area has been cut one or
more times in the past, leaving "ruinate" . Deforestation has been reported to
be occurring at the rate of more than 3 percent per annum with serious consequences for
soil and water conservation as well as biodiversity. This situation has been aggravated by
improper hillside farming practices as well inappropriate construction and development
practices which lead to a considerable amount of land and watershed degradation.
- Water in Jamaica is not what it used to be in terms of stream flow and quality and has
become a subject of major concern. Pollution of surface, ground and sea water threatens
human health and tourism revenues. Water for domestic purposes is frequently in short
supply islandwide. Certain hillside farming practices as well as construction and
development activities have contributed to watershed degradation. The degradation of
watersheds has led to flooding becoming more frequent and more severe, and pollution of
ground water is resulting in health risks, increases in cost of infrastructure and reduced
agricultural productivity. Topsoil loss in the watershed areas is simultaneously reducing
agricultural productivity and increasing siltation of stream channels and damaging
offshore reefs.
- In Jamaica, as with other small island developing states, there is an extremely close
relationship between the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Land degradation in the hills
is quickly manifested in impacts on marine resources and particularly in damage to coral
reef and related ecosystems. In addition, the varied and mountainous inland terrain
supports a number of ecosystems unusually rich in biodiversity. Water is the link that
ties the terrestrial ecosystems with marine habitats and lowland urban areas.
- The human settlements of the lowland urban areas and unplanned hillside communities are
another important aspect of Jamaica's environment. The unavailability of land for
low-income settlements has led to overcrowded squatter settlements, short of domestic
water and sewage facilities and plagued with public health risks and the other social and
economic problems of urban settlements. The urban management and settlement issues are not
confined to those of the informal sector, but are compounded by poor adherence to physical
planning precepts which has led to the juxtaposition of industries and residential areas.
Effluent and emission standards have not been adhered to and the Jamaican industrial
sector is now in the process of coming into compliance with the requirements of the NRCA.
There is a particular concern in relation to the agroprocessing sector which has
traditionally disposed of its waste in streams and sinkholes, and whose impacts on the
water resources are significant.
People are at the centre of the environment in Jamaica. Their sheer pressure on the
land (216 per sq.km.) has caused the degradation of watersheds, the pollution of ground
and surface water, and urban sprawl and blight. All the people of Jamaica, and all sectors
of society must share in the burden of rehabilitating and restoring the Jamaica
environment. A national effort between Government, the private sector, community based
entities and NGOs is required. There is acceptance among the civil society and private
sector in Jamaican of the need for their participation in environmental management. Added
to this is the presence of an active and expanding environmental NGO community with a
commendable track record and international recognition.
Government has shown its commitment to comprehensive environmental management starting
with the creation of a Natural Resources Conservation Division (NRCD) after the 1972
Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and continuing with the enactment of the
1991 law establishing the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the lead
environmental management agency in the country. This commitment is currently being
demonstrated in the variety of initiatives described in this document, and related
activities including the updating of the 1988 Country Environmental Profile (CEP), an
important source document for this 1995 JANEAP. It is the intention of the Government to
continue its commitment to sustainable development through the implementation and annual
revision of the JANEAP.
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