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MHPM_Boundary of the Cockpit Country and the Cockpit Country Protected Area Page
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Mr. Speaker, for several years, the public has been actively engaged in a robust,
constructive discourse on the delimitation of the boundary of the Cockpit
Country. Discussions have been ongoing for decades; transcending
administrations but Mr. Speaker, the wait is over, today; after extensive
consultations and deliberations we are announcing the areas to be designated
as the boundary of the Cockpit Country and of the Cockpit Country Protected
Area.
Mr. Speaker, let me
start by defining what the Cockpit Country
is and why it is so
important? The Cockpit Country is a unique geological feature. The
Encyclopaedia of Jamaican Heritage’ describes it ‘…
as steep sided valleys that
alternate with conical hillocks to form a peculiar type of terrain known as karst
topography. The limestone cannot retain surface water and rain water
immediately percolates below ground through cracks and fissures, widening
these over millions of years until the pits or valleys are formed. The conical shape
of the hills comes from the effect of weathering…
’. Mr. Speaker, as we look at
a picture of the Cockpit Country,
Slide showing Picture of the Cockpit Country);
we will notice the characteristic “upside down egg tray carton appearance”. I
am also showing a picture of other karst formation in Jamaica -
Slide Showing
Picture of Other Karst Formation (St. Ann – South of Claremont)
Mr. Speaker, the Cockpit Country is recognized nationally and internationally for
its:
(i)
lush forests
, indeed, I have been advised by the Forestry Department
that the Cockpit Country contains 41% of the remaining 7.7% of the
island’s closed broadleaf or primary forests, that is, 33,418.9 hectares,
which play a critical role in the country’s ability to adapt to and
mitigate against the effects of climate change.