Gov’t urged to rehabilitate mangroves rather than destroy natural habitats
/ Our Today
administrator
The Jamaican Government is being accused of hypocrisy in its expressed policy versus overt actions with regard to environmental protection.
In a statement tonight (May 20), Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns, the opposition spokesperson on land, environment and climate change, demanded that the Andrew Holness Administration show with action and not just the right words in a summit of world leaders on Climate, its commitment to environmental protection.
In this regard, she argued that, while the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment & Climate Change is campaigning to plant three million trees in three years, the same Ministry has approved the clearing of acres of mangroves in Green Island, Hanover.
“Destroying mangroves ahead of the hurricane season will leave areas of the island exposed to damaging waves, floods and storm surges.”
Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns, shadow minister for land environment and climate change
“Such actions are inconsistent with the Government’s promise to protect and preserve the environment. Clearing mangroves is a major threat to the coastal environment, especially with the hurricane season less than a month away,” Frazer-Binns said.
She claimed that extensive destruction has taken place, clearing the path for the start of construction by the Princess Hotel Development.
Frazer-Binns urged the Government to rehabilitate mangroves rather than destroy these natural habitats and land protectors.
“Destroying mangroves ahead of the hurricane season will leave areas of the island exposed to damaging waves, floods and storm surges. Mangroves are indispensable as they provide sanctuary for many species, store carbon and protect against flood damage. In fact, mangroves reduce the negative impact of climate change,” she said.
She said that, as the nation prepares for the 2021 Hurricane Season, it requires a renewed effort to protect and rehabilitate mangrove ecosystems to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities across the island.
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