Trees under threat - Alarm raised as Westmoreland forest reserves deplete

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Island Special Constabulary Force commanding officer for Westmoreland, Commander Jonathan Boyd, says the parish's forest reserves are suffering from massive deforestation caused by persons who are engaged in illegal lumbering and ganja farming.

He said despite regular patrols by the reserves, they have been unable to apprehend and arrest the culprits.

"We have been to several protected areas where we have seen strong evidence of illegal lumbering and marijuana farming taking place," Boyd told Western Focus. "Those who are responsible cause us serious concern because they cut down trees without any regard for the harsh environmental impact they create.

"Those guilty of this offence are very elusive, especially since they are aided by cell-phone communication. As soon as we draw near to an area, telephone calls are made to them to alert them of our approach. In addition to that, most of the terrain is rugged, which limits our ability to move in fast and apprehend persons," he added.

Jamaica's forests provide habitats for diverse animal species, including birds, offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and help in maintaining the water cycle.

The commander said most of the degradation of the forests is being done in the community of Darliston, particularly in the district of Petersvale. He said since Darliston is a part of a watershed area, the rate of deforestation in the area is worrying because it impacts negatively on conservation efforts.

Two years in prison

If caught, perpetrators could find themselves in serious trouble with the law as Section 13 of the Forestry Act states that if a person is arrested for illegal cutting of trees they can be fined up to $500,000 and/or be imprisoned for up to two years.

In addition to the alarm raised by Commander Boyd, residents throughout other communities in the parish, including Frome, Silver Spring and Orange Hill, have also complained about the rates of deforestation in the parish. This problem was acknowledged by Damart Williams, enforcement manager for the Forestry Department. He also said the community of Nonpareil was another area of grave concern.

In pointing out some other reasons for deforestation in the parish, Williams told Western Focus: "We have had situations where persons do squat on a forest reserve for the cultivation of crop or erection of structures for living. They also do it for economic reasons. It is quite easy to cut down a tree, and to sell it within a day or two," he said.

According to Jamaica's 2003 Watershed Policy document, large-scale removal of trees from watershed areas has been a major contributing factor to loss of forest cover and environmental degradation. The document noted that in addition to trees being cut for things like fuel, wood and charcoal production, yam sticks and lumber, the problem is aggravated by forest fires that occur during extended periods of drought.

Jamaica's National Development Plan, Vision 2030, notes that 94 per cent of Jamaica's forests is disturbed, and more than 20 per cent of land within forest reserves has been impacted by human activity. It said almost all of the island's watersheds have been impacted by human activity and have experienced some level of degradation.