The Jamaica Observer reports that the Mason River Protected Area is newest wetland of international significance under the RAMSAR convention:
The Mason River Protected Area (MRPA) in Clarendon has been designated as a wetland of international significance, bringing to four the number of sites so defined under a international treaty to which Jamaica is a signatory.
This was revealed at a meeting of parties to the Ramsar Convention which is currently underway in Kingston.The Convention on Wetlands or Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty which commits member countries to maintaining the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance and to plan for their “wise use”, or sustainable use.
Wetlands are of great value in that they maintain healthy river basins and facilitate water purification; support fisheries grazing and agriculture, are and habitat for endangered plants and animals; and provide opportunities for ecotourism and education.
More than 60 delegates from 32 countries are attending the fifth meeting on the Pan American Region of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, which opened yesterday and runs until Friday.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Housing, Environment, Water and Local Government Dr Horace Chang underscored the importance of the environment to the Government.
“The four policy pillars that this Government revolves around are economy, energy, education and environment,” Dr Chang said.
The minister reminded the gathering of Jamaica’s other three Ramsar sites namely the Black River Lower Morass in St Elizabeth; the Palisadoes/Port Royal protected area in Kingston; and the Portland Bight wetland and cays protected area off the coast of Clarendon.
Meanwhile, environmental lobbyists are using the Ramsar Convention meeting to draw attention to the damage being done to the Palisadoes/Port Royal wetlands, as shown in the video below:
The Palisadoes Tombolo and the surrounding waters, cays and reefs constitute one of Jamaica’s most valuable ecosystems. Its mangrove forests shelter boats during hurricanes, provide a natural water filtration system and function as nesting sites for seabirds, and nurseries for marine life. The cays, reefs and beaches are important for recreation and scientific research, and are home to several rare and endemic plant species.
In recognition of this valuable resource, the Minister of Environment and Housing in 1988 declared the Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area under under Section 5(1b) of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act. The boundaries of the protected area extend from Harbour Head in the east to Port Royal in the West and include the biologically sensitive areas of the Port Royal Mangroves and the Port Royal Cays as well as the archaeological area around and adjacent to the town of Port Royal. The strip is a marine biodiversity hot spot, and also a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance.
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On April 22, 2010 a project funded by Chinese Ex-Im Bank was launched by the GOJ to raise the flood-prone Palisadoes road six to eight feet above its current level and the construct a four-lane highway.The construction of this highway raises concerns with regards to the conservation of the Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area and its complex and delicate ecosystem.
In 2011 a judicial review brought against the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) by JET, the Supreme Court ruled that NEPA breached the legal standard for the holding of public consultation for the development.
To date, work continues on the Palisadoes roadway, further resulting in the destruction of this coastal ecosystem.
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Previously on Green Antilles: Jamaican court finds that national environment agency has not adhered to its own rules.
