Located in the parishes of Saint Elizabeth and Trelawny is the Cockpit Country, an area defined by conical hills, ridges, and steep-sided craters, some of which are 390 feet deep.
The Cockpit Country is not only Jamaica’s largest existing natural forest, but also a supplier of freshwater to around 40% of residents in western Jamaica. There’s roughly forty streams, rivers, upwellings, ponds, and glades in this area.
And it’s all under threat because of mining.
The Petition
After the launch of Jamaica House’s new petition portal, many concerned citizens and civil society groups created a “Save the Cockpit Country” petition.
This petition asked the prime minister to include geomorphology, history, hydrology, culture, and biological diversity within the boundaries of Cockpit Country. The Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group (CCSG) is the only one who has taken all of these crucial points into consideration.
There has also been a request to close the mining, prospecting, and quarrying in Cockpit Country, all following the community discussions which have been held, as well as the recommendations of the 2013 boundary study completed by The University of the West Indies.
The petition calls for the entire area to be declared a National Park.
If you’re interested in the petition portal, you can find it at http://opm.gov.jm/participate/jamaica-house-petition.
The Threats and Lack of Government Action
Findings have shown that mining activities pollute the waterways, creates deforestation, displace residents, contaminates the air, risk agricultural livelihoods, and compromises the well-being of thousands of citizens.
The Cockpit Country boundary has been in discussions for over ten years, and the Jamaican Government has delayed making a decision for as long as it could, but it will now need to make decisions about this vital issue.
Jamaica is already being impacted by several adverse impacts of global climate change, including extreme weather events such as droughts and unpredictable rainfall. Preserving the Cockpit Country would promote climate resilience, as well as an investment into the future of the country, and plenty of fresh water.
The CCSG described the region as having Jamaica’s highest percentage of native animal and plant species. It is also a vital destination for ecotourism, as well as being an imperative site for history and culture due to this being the site where the Maroons triumphed over the British in 1738 and 1739.
There are many Maroons who still reside within the Cockpit Country, and this area is their sanctuary while being a true symbol of triumph.
The Jamaica House petition portal reached its goal of 15,000 signatures but still needs your effort to ensure this issue remains in focus.
Be sure you’re a part of the change and play your part to make the government know how important the cockpit country is to Jamaica.
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