The Editor, Sir:

We should all be aware that at first, whoever approved the prospecting proposal for the Cockpit Country will fight tooth and nail to defend his or her decision. They will try to get this decision accepted under the guise that it is only prospecting and this will not affect the environment. Then, when the nine-day wonder seems to wear off, they hit us with some exciting sales pitch about how much of a large bauxite deposit is in our sacred hills. No matter how much bauxite is found or how much it is worth, it can not compensate for the damage to the habitat of so many indigenous organisms in this area. One such organism is the giant swallowtail butterfly.

Did you know that our island has the largest species of butterflies in the western world? The swallowtail butterfly is one of the largest found in the western hemisphere. It has a wing span of 12.5 cm. It is easily identified by its yellow and black spotted colour. The swallowtail butterfly was first discovered in the 18th century. This butterfly is found only in Jamaica, and there are only a few left and apart from the Blue and John Crow mountains, the Cockpit Country is home to this butterfly.

We do not need the proceeds from any possible discovery of a bauxite deposit at the expense of either our indigenous organisms, nor the climatic conditions which exists in these mountain ranges. The opportunity costs will be too great. This should not come down to who can debate better. I am imploring the authorities, for all our sakes, to forego the financials on this one.

I am, etc.,

HENSLEY CAMERON

bonfireinc@yahoo.com

Rosemount Gardens

Montego Bay

Via Go-Jamaica