Protected status

YESTERDAY marked the official launch of the Barbados System of Parks and Open Spaces: The Barbados National Park, an initiative seeking to protect the natural assets and open spaces on the island.

During a ceremony held yesterday morning, Prime Minister the Rt Hon Freundel Stuart explained that the system establishes policies to guide future land use and development within the National Park. He also believes that the economic potential from the National Park, if properly implemented, is limitless.

He was speaking at the headquarters of the Natural Heritage Department in Sturges, St. Thomas, where he explained that the Barbados National Park Plan acknowledges that there is potential to derive economic benefit from rural tourism, craft industries, environmentally sensitive farming, fishing activities, conservation projects including reforestation, amenity and community upgrading projects, touring and guiding.

The park is made up 7 300 hectares or 17 per cent of the island’s total land area, which according to Prime Minister Stuart is almost twice the Caribbean average of 9.6 per cent.
It encompasses an area that stretches from St. Lucy to St. Philip and includes the entire Scotland District. It extends from Archer’s Bay, St. Lucy to Consett Bay in St. John, incorporating inland areas such as the Flower Forest in St. Joseph; and Welchman Hall Gully, the Jack-in-the-Box Gully and Harrison’s Cave in St. Thomas.

He assured however that the protection of this area will not negatively impact residents. In fact, he urged residents and landowners not to fear the National Park but to take advantage of the economic opportunities that exist.

“The National park will be a special space and place where landowners and residents can continue their livelihoods, and an area where landowners and residents can seek to create or continue to create wealth through activities like bed and breakfast accommodation, interpretive tours of the attractions, hiking, farming, livestock rearing, cottage industries and general enjoyment in other wholesome ways.

“The Barbados National Park designation will not alter the legal rights of landowners and occupiers of land n the area, nor will it confer new rights on the visiting public. It will however, cause all users to concentrate on the need to conserve the landscape and other qualities of the area, in recognition of their value to Barbados in social and economic terms,” he said.

The project forms a major part of Barbados’ efforts towards the establishment of a green economy, which he stressed is dependent on adequate human and financial resources to the implementing agency.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of partnerships with the private sector, civil society and the social partnership. He highlighted the technical support of the Canadian counterparts toward this initiative and the Barbados Light & Power Co Ltd., for sponsoring the first three gateway signs to the National Park. (JH)