Environmental policy and administrative management

The Nature Preservation Foundation (NPF) is responsible for the management of Hope Estate, including the section of Jacks Hill to the north of the Hope Gardens. The wooded hillsides overlook the Liguanea Plain, and being comprised of approximately 100 acres of dry forest vegetation, it offers a green backdrop for the city of Kingston, especially during the rainy seasons. Across the hillside, the woodlands are interspersed with grassy outcrops where uncontrolled fires occur during the dry seasons, threatening both the wooded areas and residences along Skyline Drive which forms the northern boundary of the Estate. The area also has a small stream that supplies a mini-dam which irrigates the Zoological Gardens, and there is evidence of serious erosion talking place along the banks of the stream. NPF has contracted The Forest Conservancy (TFC) to reforest the grassy areas of the hillside, but NPF management has no clear idea of the boundaries nor clear concept as to what species should be planted, either for amenity or for conservation of the existing vegetation, slopes and soils. Therefore, to guide the reforestation and future works, a bio-physical assessment is needed as a basis for implementing an integrated land management plan that will ensure the protection and conservation of the environment. The persistent problems associated with seasonal fires, uncontrolled runoff after heavy rainfall and clearing of land for subsistence housing and farming on the slopes have contributed significantly to the loss of biodiversity and degradation of the land. The lack of proper management of the resource has impinged negatively on the local environment and threatens the security and livelihood of adjacent communities. These problems at Jacks Hill have existed for the past three decades and there have been several attempts by the government to rectify the problem. The latest attempt was in 2000 and sought to address the illegal settlement issue of squatters who have encroached on the Estate. In addition, attempts were made to reforest the area, but those initiatives failed as no resources were provided to implement them satisfactorily. Main goals To develop a basic plan for management of land and vegetative resources of the Jacks Hill section of Hope Estate in collaboration with representatives of neighbouring communities. To initiate fire protection measures and undertake reforestation of critical areas in keeping with the findings of a biophysical assessment of the Jacks Hill woodlands.

Jamaica