Save Cockpit Country, Jamaica
Cockpit Country is a mountainous, forested area of western Jamaica, rich in biodiversity and home to the Leeward Maroons of Jamaica. Its landscape of steep-sided hills and deep, round valleys eroded from the limestone bedrock is an outstanding example of karst topography. The wet limestone forest of Cockpit Country is Jamaica's largest remaining primary forest and a refuge for rare Jamaican animals such as the Black-billed parrot and the Giant Swallow-tail butterfly, and more than 60 endemic plants. While the Land of Look Behind is famous in Jamaican history, each scientific expedition reveals more natural wonders of this 'biodiversity hotspot' and secrets of its Taino and Maroon heritage. A renewed interest in prospecting for bauxite and limestone in the Cockpit Country has sparked a campaign led by a wide cross-section of local and overseas Jamaicans - the Cockpit Country Stakeholders' - to protect this unique area. Mining in Cockpit Country would destroy the natural, cultural and archaeological resources of Cockpit Country that are virtually untapped as a source of sustainable livelihoods, especially eco- and heritage tourism, for many rural communities of Jamaica.
Cockpit Country is a mountainous, forested area of western Jamaica, rich in biodiversity and home to the Leeward Maroons of Jamaica. Its landscape of steep-sided hills and deep, round valleys eroded from the limestone bedrock is an outstanding example of karst topography. The wet limestone forest of Cockpit Country is Jamaica's largest remaining primary forest and a refuge for rare Jamaican animals such as the Black-billed parrot and the Giant Swallow-tail butterfly, and more than 60 endemic plants. While the Land of Look Behind is famous in Jamaican history, each scientific expedition reveals more natural wonders of this 'biodiversity hotspot' and secrets of its Taino and Maroon heritage. A renewed interest in prospecting for bauxite and limestone in the Cockpit Country has sparked a campaign led by a wide cross-section of local and overseas Jamaicans - the Cockpit Country Stakeholders' - to protect this unique area. Mining in Cockpit Country would destroy the natural, cultural and archaeological resources of Cockpit Country that are virtually untapped as a source of sustainable livelihoods, especially eco- and heritage tourism, for many rural communities of Jamaica.
1. We call on the Prime Minister of Jamaica to ensure that the Cockpit Country and environs, as described by the Cockpit Country Stakeholders%u2019 Group, is declared CLOSED to mining and commercial prospecting.
2. We urge the Government of Jamaica to take steps to declare the Cockpit Country a Protected National Area as a matter of priority, as stipulated in the 1997 Policy for a National System of Protected Areas in Jamaica.
3. As organisations and individuals interested in the conservation of Jamaica%u2019s unique natural and cultural heritage, we wish to see the Cockpit Country protected and managed as a World Heritage Site.
We need to preserve the environment for future generations, if we do not they will only be left with wastelands.
Born, bred and live in Jamaica
The cockpit country is a part of our nation's rich history and as such we need to keep out roots healthy. Help our great land to help us!
we have already destroyed so much of what is good in this country. what is left that is pure let it remain as such. plus when you look at the history of the cockpit, the flora and fauna that exist there we absolutely cant afford for it to be destroyed. KEEP FIGHTING!!!
i am a jamaican who still resides in jamaica and currently has no intention of living elsewhere.
I visited cockpit several times and the view just takes my breath away. Money is not everything. Your history is there in those mountains.Please do not distroy it. Plant flowers, raise bees, plant food to feed your people. Do not depend on other countires because once the use you they are gone. You and your families eat and live good while hte others suffer. Shame on you.
My husband is form cockpit country and we plan on moving there
Jamaican
Every animal in all the countries are very important to ones whom love animals. Animals give you the comfort that a human does not understand. Animals love a human unconditionaly.
I visited Jamaica. The people are warm and beautiful. And the country is one of the most beautiful island's in the world.
To protect the wealthy culture and heritage, but most importantly to protect the natural biodiversity of this area. To protect the flora and fauna that is endemic to Jamaica..this area is a globally recognised area..why damage this for bauxite and mining...cockpit country even brings in both local, regional and international tourism...what a great tragedy for mankind and nature if we don't take a stand and protect Cockpit Country.
I'm a student at the UWI,Mona.
The natural resources of Jamaica is very important to the environmenatl preservation, and bauxite mining will destroy our natural resourses and beauty of the island. Bauxite mining will also displace fauna and cause the loss of important flora, some that are unique to the country and has positive benefits. Ecotoursim may be very beneficial to the Cockpit Country and its members' livelihood.
I am a proud Jamaican
There is enough brown fields already all over the world. Let us save these last frontiers from the Bauxite hungry consumer driven capitalism.
I have a dep connection with Maroons as much as I have with Dongrias and I feel that the story of saving Niyamgiri mountain needs equal attention of the Cockpit Country peopleas much as those in Queenslad trying to save the Steve Irwin Wild Reserve as much as the river Thorsa in Iceland..Samarendra
|
6:41 pm PDT, Apr 19,
Leigh Bennett, Georgia
|
its a nature reserve and a good eco tourism area for jamaica plus theres a lot there to explore. Alot of endangered as wel as endemic animals, plants, insects and birds live, feed and reproduce in the forrest areas of the cocpit country.
i live here this is my island home and i hope one day to explore the cockpits. The bauxhite companys has done a lot of damage to our land scape environment already enough is enough.
Cockpit Country is a beautiful, untouched part of Jamaica with unique species of flora and animals. It's were our own ancestors, the Maroons began the fight for our freedom from the British forces. It is places like this that make us as Jamaicans special, our culture diverse and our history rich! Frankly, it would be a shame to hand it over to bauxite institutions that only rob our country of its wealth and leave it high and dry. Our government... if they were truly appreciative and sensible, would do the right thing and focus on using our resources to help ourselves and not others. Let's fight to keep what ours!
I'm a proud Jamaican!! Can't think of anywhere else I would want to live or die!
It is important that every effort is made to protect and preserve this area because of its value to Jamaica and the world. In a time when we are losing our natural areas and the lifestyles that they support; and with the greater issues of global warming and ozone depletion, it is imperative that we respond to our environment in a more responsible manner.
I live and work in Jamaica
i live in jamaica
The Cockpit Country should be protecetd from mining because the site is one of the largest undisturbed forested areas left in Jamaica. It is a safe haven for the many plant and animal species. Mining calls for cutting down the trees which leads to deforestation which contributes to global warming. All of the above factors will affect the lifecycle of the livelihood of the species on the site and may result in migration or worst case scenario, death. It is also important that I mention that the surrounding community depends on the area for water. The government must think critically and not just economically. I am for development, but I am not for unreasoned development. We must think of our children, and their childrens' children. The Cockpit Country has a rich blend of varied plant and animal life, and it should not be taken for granted or accosted a dollar sign. The Jamaican rodent 'hutia' is now a memory. Memories do last a lifetime, but they are only as good as the living. When they are gone, they are gone!
I am a caring citizen of Jamaica and its many wonders.
It should be protected because what is the worth of mining to the country as oppose to the intrinsic worth of the this natural area. When they've mined everything from the area and have killed the all the animals that dwell in this area, what do we have to show for it...another hollow landscape void of life and void of bauxite...think about it
I live here I am a Tourism Management student at the University of the West Indies and would like to see some smart decisions made for long term development in this country not just a quick buck.
The wet limestone forest of Cockpit Country is Jamaica's largest remaining primary forest and a refuge for rare Jamaican animals such as the Black-billed parrot and the Giant Swallow-tail butterfly, and more than 60 endemic plants. While the Land of Look Behind is famous in Jamaican history, each scientific expedition reveals more natural wonders of this 'biodiversity hotspot' and secrets of its Taino and Maroon heritage.
I visited and shared part of my life with the people of Jamaica and the Islands amazing energy.
It's a beautiful place.
I have traveled through the country and love it's culture, people, and environment.
I signed the petition to help protect the refuge of the rare animals which are part of the human race heritage.
Cockpit Country is a valuable resource for Jamaica. It represents a world that is seldom seen in the world. The rich and unique plant and animal life found there is a treasure to the world. Not mention a historical location for its connection to the Maroons and the peace treaty signed with the British. Jamaica has amazing wildness and undeveloped space, which is one of its allures. Please do not destroy such a treasure.
I visited the island last year. I spent two week traveling like a local via mini-bus and taxi (both legal and not). I had spent 20 years of my life wishing to visit the island and my dream was realized. I have a love that runs deep for the island, people, culture and food.
Jamaica is too small to be able to recover from the impact a mining operation causes. Once the mine is gone, so are the jobs it created.
I vacation there.
Cockpit Country houses alot of endemic Jamaican plants and animals as their last undisturbed refuge. It shelters unique flora and fauna that are threatened by a range of human activities, one of which is mining.
I was born and raised in Jamaica. I am planning to return in the near future
