Environmental group calls for Jamaican government, wildfire victims to be proactive

The St Thomas Environmental Protection Association (STEPA) Benevolent Society has called on the Government, as well as victims of wildfires, to be pro-active and do something about the damage caused by wildfires in Jamaica.

St Thomas, like the rest of Jamaica is rich in history, culture, heritage, endemism and biodiversity, beauty and natural resources.

STEPA is concerned about environmental degradation and unplanned developments that are widespread in St Thomas.

The year 2010 was celebrated as 'International Year of Biodiversity'. Bush fires are among the main causes of biodiversity loss in St Thomas.

The United Nations has declared 2011 the 'International Year of the Forest', under the theme, 'Celebrating Forest for People'.

St Thomas suffers one of the fastest rates of deforestation in Jamaica and bush fires are among the main causes.

St Thomas has the third-largest wetlands area in Jamaica. In 2007, STEPA launched a comprehensive campaign to protect the Bowden Morass, St Thomas Great Morass and other wetland areas in St Thomas.

The parish has one of the longest coastal areas in Jamaica, stretching from the Portland border to the Kingston and St Andrew border. In 2008, STEPA implemented a Coastal Zone Management Project. Bush-fire issues were also highlighted.