The Editor, Sir:

The full impact of development throughout the island is constantly showing itself on our water supply. The impact of the shortage of water is felt wherever in the island we live. It may take the form of low water pressure, water lock-offs for an hour or two or complete shut-offs for several days.

When we travel throughout the island, it becomes noticeable that more and more of the tree-covered landscape is giving way to housing development and, in some specialised cases, bauxite mining. Areas that were once all green have turned red or silver or white. The trees have disappeared.

Certainly, the planners in Jamaica know that these areas should be preserved for our water supply, to prevent erosion, maintain the ecosystem balance and to maintain the age-old harmony between man and nature.

All because of greed

So what is all this destruction attributable to? Greed. If this disruption continues much longer, it is going to take several hundred years to bring back some harmony to the ecosystem. In fact, even at this stage, reversing it will take decades. In the meanwhile, we might have to start importing water or die of thirst.

It is time to declare specific areas like parts of the Blue Mountains, the Cockpit, the Bull Head, the John Crow, Yallahs, Alligator Pond, parts of coastal Westmore-land and Hanover, St. Mary and Portland as being off limits for development. To be sure, there are several other areas. We should value our resources.

I am, etc.,

CALFORD SCOTT

Caldsc@aol.com

Brooklyn, New York