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MHPM_Boundary of the Cockpit Country and the Cockpit Country Protected Area Page
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(ii)
rich biodiversity
, it is the habitat for many endemic species of flora and
fauna, for example the Giant Swallowtail butterfly (
Pterourus homerus
),
the largest Swallowtail butterfly in the western hemisphere, and the
yellow snake;
(iii)
fresh water resources
, it is the source of 40% of western Jamaica’s
exploitable underground water resources; and
(iv)
great
historical and cultural significance
Mr. Speaker, the Cockpit Country has attracted the interests of the Government,
academic researchers, environmentalists, community-based organizations and
potential investors. Each group of stakeholders has developed comparable,
opposing and complementary perspectives. However, there is agreement
among stakeholders that the Cockpit Country urgently needs to be managed
to ensure its sustainability for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, the
Government of Jamaica started taking steps to protect the Cockpit Country by
first declaring the Cockpit Country Forest Reserve almost seven decades ago.
Mr. Speaker, we have not done enough since that and we cannot afford to
wait any longer.
Mr. Speaker, the goal of defining the boundary is to ensure forest conservation,
protection of biodiversity, preservation and improvement of traditional
livelihoods and the creation of new economic opportunities from heritage,
health and wellness tourism and eco-tourism.
Mr. Speaker, many boundaries have been proposed over the years and each
has its own criteria upon which it was defined. While we acknowledge that we
may not have consensus about the ideal boundary for the Cockpit Country; we
call on all stakeholders to view the Government’s decision on the delimitation of
the Cockpit Country as well as the area to be protected in a spirit of partnership.