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In response to popular demand, the Jamaica Environmental Advocacy Network/Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group has decided to give citizens a means for expressing their concern about mining in the Cockpit Country - and what this may mean for the future of Jamaica.


  Comments (18)
Looming Environmental Problem in Portmor
Written by Barrington Graham, on 2008-08-11 07:14:19
I wish to bring to your attention a looming environmental issue that is bound to bring grief to Portmore and its environment, if not immediately addressed. The problem surrounds the degradation of the vegetation and forest that provide a beautiful greenery to people who enter Portmore at the Caymanas Intersection.  
 
As you leave the Mandela Highway and enter Portmore at the Caymanas Intersection, you will notice piles of fallen trees along the road side for sale. These represent young trees and branches from the adjoining area that have been cut down to be sold as fence posts.  
 
The trees being destroyed are an important part of the area's econo-system. They provide a home for the numerous animals that live within the area. In addition, they form a protective barrier for the land along the river bank, preventing soil erosion and a widening of the river channel. Aesthetically, the trees and vegetation serve as a mini forest that provides some amount of greenery and luscious beauty to people entering Portmore along that route. 
 
With the wanton and systematic degradation that is now occurring, with the cutting down of the trees and branches, it does not take a rocket scientist to forecast that an environmental disaster is being precipitated. Not only will the fauna and fora in the area be lost, probably for ever, but if the destruction is not checked, then very soon the structure of the bridge may be threatened and we may end up with an even bigger disaster to content with. 
 
This will certainly impede the flow of traffic along this vital roadway and bring untold repair costs to get the foundation of the bridge back to a safe and solid grounding.  
 
I urge those with the authority (Portmore Municipal Council, NEPA etc) to put an immediate stop to this misguided action from those who are clearly unable to see the ills of their destructive ways. 
 
Portmore is home to over quarter million Jamaicans and the Caymanas intersection is the main entry route for many of these people. If the degradation of the area is allowed to continue, we can expect to see serious environmental problems in the not too distant future.  
 
Let's see some action before it's too late.
Cockpit Country
Written by Kandice Williams - kandy-kane2, on 2008-07-22 16:55:44
Im 15 years old and im interested in becoming an environmentalist, because of how young i am im not sure how much impact my opinion will carry but as a fellow Jamaican i think it is ridiculous that our government is trying to destroy one of our country's prized possessions. They need to be made aware of just how important it is to us as a people. Jamaica is not very big but im well aware of the fact that we are the largest producer of bauxite and that our island is very rich, there must be another place where it can be mined. Save our cockpit country!
Cock-Pit country poem
Written by Francis Nation, on 2008-07-16 07:55:45
COCK-PIT COUNTRY REVISITED... 
Meandering up firtlie hill-side, Christened with morning dew. Whistling frogs in lime-stone crags, Seemed to be playing me a tune. I stood motionless, Eyes sweeping rugged mountain range. Reminding me of rough terrians dense bush and winding trails, I roamed in my youth. And suddenly, I longed for the sweet smell of log-wopd blooms, After cooling rain. To feel and hear crushing leaves under-foot, when the sun came. To yell aloud at the wild tarrain and wait for it to yell back at me. How strange...
wider environmental issues
Written by Joy Lumsden, joyousjam@jamaica, on 2008-05-19 17:06:05
while I fully support the Cockpit Country initiative, I am perhaps more concerned about general environmental issues - disposal of dangerous and toxic waste, air and water pollution, need for sustainable energy supply, population issues - do you take on these issues and more? Incidentally I cannot find any email address where I can contact you; check my web sites on Jamaican history at http://joyousjam.googlepages.com/allmypages
Riverton landfill
Written by Stanley R. Palmer, on 2008-03-03 09:02:56
What if anything is being proposed or being done about the seriously negative effects of the Riverton landfill on the immediate area, including wetlands and the sea and shore? What has been the extent of the fauna kill-off due to dangerous substances?
Save the CockPit
Written by Carmen Anderson-Harris, on 2007-05-30 07:37:24
I do not know much about the general story of the CockPit area, However, saving the environment is my joy and keeping it safe and picturesque is marvelous. Yes save the forest and preserve the wild life and beauty of Jamaica. Putting housing and tourist traps of shops, will only be one more disaster to erode the land and its natural beauty. Together we will fight for this. Nuf luv and God's blessing on all you do for the good!
Vienna Convention Article 7
Written by Elastine Andersen Ph.D, on 2007-05-09 01:28:48
Hugo Chavez and Jamaican Government conspire to Rip-Off Impoverished Farmer slave’s state.  
 
BACKGROUND: In 1739, a community of runaway slaves known as the Maroons, who occupied a desolate mountainous area within the interior of Jamaica, fought and won their independence from the British Empire. Two hundred and twenty four years later, the remainder of the Caribbean island of Jamaica, was granted independence as well from the British Crown. The autonomous Maroon Town, sovereign for the past 269 years, a nation within a nation, is again under attack - this time from their brothers who are considering selling them out. This smallest of nations - defenseless, poor, undeveloped and unaware - is considered as mere chattel. For the opportunistic Chavez has his sights set on both it's rich bauxite deposits and its strategic proximity to the United States.  
 
The Jamaican government has thus far refrained from selling that which it doesn't own (present offer on the table 800,000,000 per year for the resources of Maroon Town); however, considering Venezuela's vast resources, Chavez’s dominion theology, Jamaica's history of corruption and Maroon Town's lack of a political voice, it is probable that it won’t be too long before things like treaties, sovereignty and integrity are rationalized away. For greed is the motivator that causes nations to bully those smaller than they and steal their treasures.  
 
Maroon Town hasn't changed much since gaining their Independence. They have just lived in their freedom. They don't have lawyers, politicians, and bankers. They don’t even have a police force. Crime is low to almost no existent. There has been only one capital crime since 1738! The Maroon's haven't bothered to create an infrastructure; they have not sought recognition from the UN. All they have is a treaty from the British Government - and their freedom.  
 
FOREGROUND: It’s time for the international community to protect this little nation. The Maroon people have fought and won their independence. It is Maroon blood that paid for their freedom. If Jamaica moves one inch towards accepting Chavez's offer we must consider it an act of war! As per The Vienna Convention Article 7, we must take measures to protect the Maroon nation by seeking international recognition and protection.
cockpit country
Written by lore, on 2007-04-25 12:09:53
this is a very interesting article as it has contributed to my research
cockpit
Written by maizelin Pitter, on 2007-04-25 12:09:25
we cannot destroy all the natural beauty in Jamaica. It's time someone take a stand against this terrible desecration of nature. we need our natural reserve to protect our wildlife and some of the soon extinct creatures in it natural habitat. Too much emphasis is been placed on monetary and personal gain and not the people. 
The cockpit is an untouched part of our history and should remain that way.
cockpit country
Written by Nicole Wilmot-Bush, on 2007-02-12 14:00:40
I understand the commercial value of mining cockpit country and the monetary gain, but the destruction of one of God's gifts to us is a terrible desecration of nature. I think we need to save the area for the sake of our children and their children etc. One must look at the butterfly effect and try to see the bigger picture of what the impact could be... save our natural beauty!!

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