Forest advocate welcomes move by Government

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AS ANNOUNCED a couple of weeks ago, Jamaica has stated the country’s commitment to contribute to the United Nations forest targets by virtue of its revised Forest Policy of February 2018. In effect, the nation is committed to:

(a)improved watershed management planning on the forest estate;

(b)gender-sensitive, alternative-livelihoods with respect to sustainable forest resources management;

(c) development of a mangrove management and conservation plan; and

(d) strengthening of forest policy and legislative frameworks.

As the nation’s only forestry-based NGO, The Forest Conservancy (TFC) welcomes the Government’s commitment and trusts that more specific information will be forthcoming, particularly regarding the approaches that will be employed for sustainable forest resources management and utilisation, and how the costs will be funded. Also, we assume that the private sector — landowners, farmers, rural communities — will be called on to assist in executing the revised National Forest Management and Conservation Plan, hopefully, with the provision of tangible incentives to encourage wide participation.

Since our formation in 2003, the TFC has been advocating for forest plantation development on idle, private lands, using versatile tree species that can generate future returns as well as environmental benefits. Perhaps some of your readers may be interested in this admittedly long-term development concept, and if so, they are invited to contact the TFC at (876) 426-1041 or guysymes@gmail.com for further information.

GUY SYMES

Managing Director, TFC