THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE LEVEL of devastation that has occurred as a result of hurricanes Dennis and Emily to Mavis Bank and adjoining districts like Tower Hill, Halls Delight and Mount Charles is incomprehensible.
Elderly persons within the affected communities recall the damage done by the Flora flood in 1963 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. These elderly persons say that the damage caused by the two recent hurricanes is far worse than that done by Flora and Gilbert.
This area was once zoned as the Yallahs Valley Land Authority (YVLA). One of the main objectives of the YVLA was to teach good agricultural practices and soil conservation. I recall farmers contouring the land, planting a particular type of grass, building barriers and constructing 'check dams'.
The Forestry Department and Social Welfare Commission were also very active in the area and their extension officers were very active, exhibiting a hands-on approach to environmental and social development. At present only the Social Development Commission (which replaced the Social Welfare Commission) is active in the community and it is doing the best it probably can, given the resources.
With the increasing population of these mountainous communities, along with the unplanned and often unapproved construction of business places and houses, many at probably physically and environmentally-unsafe locations, we can only expect more devastating effects with more rain. When coupled with deforestation and lack of soil conservation measures, the future does seem unimaginable, unless something is done.
There is the need to respond with a sense of urgency. There needs to be a comprehensive rehabilitation programme involving the relevant central and local government entities, the Church, community organisations, farmers and the residents. I am suggesting that one coordinating unit be established so as to avoid duplication and waste of resources.
Failure to act now will result in the loss of agricultural crops and coffee farms, and generally more hardship for the people of these communities.
I am, etc.,
TREVOR WILLACY
trevwillacy@yahoo.com
