The upcoming fiscal year will see a substantial investment of $95 million dedicated to advancing the Integrating Water, Land, and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (IWEco) project. This funding is outlined in the 2024/25 Estimates of Expenditure, presented to the House of Representatives by Dr. Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service.
Launched in 2016, the IWEco project is designed to address several critical environmental goals. The initiative aims to restore essential hydrological and physical processes in the Negril Great Morass, rejuvenate native vegetation to support wetland wildlife, resolve ecosystem degradation issues, and establish robust institutional frameworks to ensure the sustained health of wetland biological resources.
By December 2023, the project had accomplished significant milestones, including 11 completed consultancies. These include the initial and follow-up Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Behaviour (KAPB) studies, the development of the Negril Environmental Protected Area Management Plan, and an assessment of the West Indian Whistling Duck population.
The project has also made strides through its small grants program, which has led to the construction of a 1,500-square-foot greenhouse and hydroponics unit. Additionally, 162 farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture, budgeting, personal finance, and integrated pest management.
For the 2024/25 period, the project will focus on several key activities: implementing hydrological solutions in the Negril Great Morass, conducting a second round of the KAPB study, updating the Negril Environmental Protected Area Management Plan, and performing a final evaluation and audit.
Managed by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) with support from the Government of Jamaica and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the IWEco initiative is set to conclude in September 2024. This investment reflects a significant commitment to addressing environmental challenges and enhancing the sustainability of Caribbean ecosystems.
