Preserving biodiversity, water quality, food security, the resources and services of the Yallahs and Hope River watershed management units just got a lot easier with the newly gazetted Natural Resources Conservation (NRC) Environmental Protection Measures Order.
On 2 June 2016, the Government of Jamaica passed the NRC Environmental Protection Measures Order which prohibits a number of activities that can cause a fire. restricted areas cover 6 watershed management units (WMUs) including the Yallahs and Hope River watersheds.
The Order notes that between 1 February and 31 October each year, with the exception of burning sugar cane as a pre-harvesting activity, it is now illegal to carry out any activity in the open air which could cause a fire. This includes burning solid waste in the open and most importantly, using slash and burn methods to clear any land.
Forest fires are a major threat to the health of the watershed areas and are often more rampant during the dry season (February-April and July- October). In 2015, more than 9 days of fires within the two WMUs resulted in wide scale descruction to lives, property, animal habit and livestock. The Jamaica Agricultural Society erstimated loss at close to half a billion dollars.
Nelsa English Johnson, Project Manager for the GOJ/GEF/IDB Integrated Management of the Yallahs and Hope River Watershed Management Areas Project explains why the new legislation brings well needed support for watershed protection.
“The dry weather conditions expereienced in 2015 coupled with the traditional slash and burn method of clearing lands for cultivation provided the perfect storm for the wide scale fires. Though our farmers are aware of the dangers of burning, it is still a hard habit to break, but with many still reeling from the effects of 2015's blaze and this new legislation, we hope it will be the catalyst that brings a change in behaviour”, she said.
Meanwhile, Jerome Smith Principal Director of Forest Operations at the Forestry Department welcomed the new legislation, noting that close to 400 hectares of forests were lost nationally due to fires in 2015.
“Just over 25% of the island is covered by good quality forests but fires continue to threaten their presence. In 2015, Jamaica lost some 366.8 hectares of forests as a result of fires. Partnerships are important in our watersheds as they host a significant amount of our island’s forests. Successful protection is hinged on the cooperative actions of many stakeholders, both government and non-governmental,” Smith said.
Now, with the legislative support in place, the work is now on to educate and change the habits of our farmers and communities which have in the past left our mountains ablaze.
Legislative Support to Manage Fires Within Watersheds