Government Plans to Protect Forest

PRESS RELEASE

IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF GOVERNMENT THAT THERE IS A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION OF THE COUNTRY’S FOREST COVER WITH WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL WARMING, RAINFALL PATTERNS, LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES AND OTHER STRUCTURES IN FOREST RESERVES AND PROTECTED AREAS IS OF GRAVE CONCERN AND THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE LAND IS BEING DESTROYED.

IT IS NOTED THAT CREEPING ENCROACHMENT ON THE SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN AT REGENT AND THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE WATER CATCHMENT AREA AND ONGOING DAM AND HYDRO PROJECT.

GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT:

• THE MINISTRY OF LANDS , COUNTRY PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FOOD SECURITY WILL IDENTIFY STRUCTURES THAT HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED WITHIN FORESTS AND PROTECTED AREAS AND TAKE LEGAL STEPS TO HAVE THEM REMOVED;
• IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE GREENERY AND AESTHETIC APPRECIATION OF THE LANDSCAPE, ALLOCATION OF LAND AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES AND STRUCTURES ALONG THE NEW REGENT/GRAFTON ROAD ARE BANNED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT;
• MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF LANDED PROPERTIES ALONG THE SAID ROAD SHOULD DECLARE THEIR INTERESTS TO THE MINISTRY OF LANDS, COUNTRY PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDE AUTHENTIC TITLE DEEDS FOR VERIFICATION THAT WILL LEAD TO COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF SUCH PROPERTIES.

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