Over the years, the Jamaican Government has put legislation in place to combat activities that may cause damage to the country’s natural resources. Illegal sand mining is one of those activities that has continued to plague the island.

Sand mining is a practice that is used to extract sand, mainly through an open pit. However, sand is also mined from beaches, inland dunes and dredged from ocean beds and river beds. Sand mining is a direct cause of erosion, flooding and that also impacts the local wildlife.

Speaking today at the site of an illegal sand mine in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced an approved government policy and pending legislation to reclaim private lands that have environmental assets.

The illegal operation was reported to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) by residents of the community earlier this year.

“It is the intelligence of the community and the sense of understanding of the eco system that drove the community to make a report to NEPA,” the prime minister noted.

Swift action was taken by NEPA, the operators were served with cease-and-desist and enforcement orders and taken to court by the agency.

In his address, Holness noted that the operator pleaded guilty and was fined $15,000.

He further stated that the fine is outdated and pointed out that the legislative framework needs to match the energy that exists for growth and development as well as deviant behaviours.

“The Government has to take legislative action in increasing the fine, not just in the area of the environment but right across the broad,” Holness argued.

The illegal operation, which took place on private property, saw the operators removing many truckload of sand from the area.

Holness shared that it is important that Government reclaim natural assets that are deemed sensitive.

“For greater protection, a policy is be developed to put into regulation and law for the government to acquire ecologically sensitive natural assets.”

Continuing, he said the country’s natural assets are under serious threat as a result of being exploited to create economic wealth.

“There are some who think exploiting natural resources is a form of wealth creation, but if it is done incorrectly it is also a part of destroying our natural assets and wealth,” the prime minister said.