By Claudia Gardner, Freelance Writer
Japanese Ambassador Isao Otsuka (right) hands over grant contract to Executive Director of the Dolphin Head Trust, Ms. Paula Hurlock in a ceremony at the Embassy of Japan, Kingston. - Contributed
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE JAPANESE government has made a grant of US$79,000 (J$3.38 million) to the Dolphin Head Trust in Hanover to assist in its Bamboo Conversion and Utilisation Project, which falls under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) Programme, in Jamaica.
The contract was signed at the offices of the Japanese Embassy, in Kingston, by Mr. Isao Otsuka, the Ambassador of Japan, and Paula Hurlock, Executive Director of the Dolphin Head Trust earlier this week.
According to Ms Hurlock, the project represents the commencement of an initiative taken by the Dolphin Head Trust to set up joint strategies to conserve its rich biophysical assets and to ensure sustainable development of the area.
"The project is primarily geared toward the bamboo conversion and utilisation project in the Dolphin Head Mountains," said Ms. Hurlock. "It is also designed to promote environmental preservation through alternative sustainable livelihoods."
Ms. Hurlock told The Gleaner that the funds would be used for the construction of a bamboo production facility, the purchasing of equipment associated with training and production, as well as training procedures and the actual training process.
"The Dolphin Head Bamboo Conversion Project will have a duration of 12 months, from locating the facility, to producing the first samples of items for production," said Ms. Hurlock, who said the bamboo would be used to create architecture, craft and furniture. "A strong bamboo theme will be utilised, as bamboo can be found growing extensively throughout the proposed project area."
The Dolphin Head Trust was formed out of a concern for the environmental integrity of the Dolphin Head Range, specifically the areas south, east and west of the Dolphin Head peak. Concerned citizens had witnessed the environmental degradation in the period of years leading up to the formation of the trust in 1997.
"The people and government of Japan endorse this project as a worthy effort demonstrating the creative thoughts that grassroots organisations like Dolphin Head Trust has brought to the developmental arena," said Ambassador Otsuka. "I sign today with a renewed sense of hope, that, not only better for our countries will come but that a great part of it is being displayed here today."
With the new plans, it is now likely that (National Environment and Planning Agency) NEPA and the Forestry Department will declare the Dolphin Head a National Park in light of this new development.
