Tufton

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

The government has finally taken the decision to reject any proposal to mine the Cockpit Country for bauxite.

This was revealed by Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton when he addressed the launch of the Cockpit Country Discovery Centre in Litchfield, Wait-A-Bit, Trelawny, on Friday.

National treasure

"What we have here ladies and gentlemen is a national and international treasure, a treasure that must be protected at all costs from those factors which threaten its very existence. These include bauxite mining, deforestation and over hunting," said Tufton.

"The government recognises that any disturbance of the Cockpit Country can have a negative impact on the everyday life of our citizens. Mining in the Cockpit Country, for example, has the potential to disrupt Jamaica's food security in an area we have spent tremendous time discussing, highlighting and educating the country about, because of what is happening in the world," he added.

In underscoring the point he said that approximately 40 per cent of Jamaica's surface water emanates from this area and it is home to 27 of Jamaica's 28 endemic species of birds. He also pointed to plants with important medicinal value that could only be found in the Cockpit.

He pledged the government's commitment to ensuring the sustainable use of the forest environment and as such has given his approval and support for the Forestry Department to be an executive agency.

He said as an executive agency, the department was expected to function more effectively.