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Gov't to Establish Environmental Policy and Management Strategy

Contact: George Jude

Thursday, April 15, 2004 - The Government of Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Physical Development, Environment and Housing, with support from the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is to establish a National Environmental Policy (NEP) and a National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS).

The move this year, comes against the backdrop of major developments in the global economic and political environment over the past ten years, which have not been favourable to small island states like Saint Lucia and their fragile economies.

Also, 2004 is an important year for St. Lucia and other small island developing states, signifying the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States, which was held in Barbados. Hence, in August of this year, another international Conference is to be convened in the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, to review the implementation of a programme of action.

It is believed that the difficult economic conditions that have prevailed are particularly detrimental to the environment, at a time when that same environment offers opportunities for economic diversification and growth. Thus, more than ever before, there is a need for careful and effective environmental management, and for integrated policies that ensure environmental sustainability, while promoting optimal use of natural resources.

It has been determined that “the main constraint to more effective environmental management in Saint Lucia is not the need for new policies, but rather one of implementation. Saint Lucia has made tremendous progress in environmental management over the past three decades, and now is the time to consolidate these achievements, with all sectors of society involved in the process of moving from policy to action”.

With this in mind, a number of activities are being organised over the next few weeks to inform and involve people and communities on the NEP process. One of these is the Earth Day Civil Society Forum on 22 April, World Earth Day. This forum is being hosted by the Saint Lucia National Trust in collaboration with Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and Environment Conservation and Heritage Organization of Laborie.

According to a release from the Sustainable Development & Environment Section of the Ministry of Physical Development, Environment & Housing, “St. Lucia’s National Environmental Policy must be understood and supported by each and every citizen in order to be effective. Therefore, we must all be involved in the process”.

The Ministry of Physical Development, Environment & Housing can be contacted directly at telephone number (758) 468-4459/5041 and e-mail: sde@planning.gov.lc.

 

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