Watersheds Policy for Jamaica.

This Policy seeks to respond to the degradation of the island’s watersheds, to the challenges in the management of these areas, and to the need for greater coordination and partnership in dealing with threats posed by global environmental issues such as climate change. The Policy outlines the goals, objectives and principles that should guide public sector agencies involved in watershed management and thus includes provisions related to the engagement of communities and other stakeholders in watershed protection. The vision of the Policy is: Jamaica has healthy and optimally functional watersheds that provide sustained ecosystem services for the benefit of all in society. The Policy defines the following goals: 1) strengthening of the legislative and institutional frameworks governing Jamaica’s watersheds to support effective and efficient management; 2) enhancement of capacities (human, technical, technological and financial) at all levels to improve integrated watershed management; 3) increased access to data and information to facilitate informed decision-making at all levels; 4) increasing awareness among Jamaicans regarding the importance of watersheds and encouraging active participation in their conservation; 5) promoting appropriate land use and sustainable land management.
The Policy is inspired by the following guiding principles: transparency and accountability; precautionary approach; participation and collaboration; dispute resolution; environmental economic tools and technology; protection and sustainable use of water resources; evidence-based approach; access to information, justice in environmental matters and participation in the decision-making process; inter- and intra-generational equity; sustainability. The Policy aims at achieving the following objectives: 1) rationalisation of legislative and institutional frameworks governing watershed and water resources management; 2) enhancement of national capacities for effective watershed management; 3) increasing access to appropriate information and data for effective watershed management; 4) increasing public education, awareness and engagement to foster positive attitudes towards watershed protection and conservation; 5) strengthening integrated land-use initiatives to conserve and preserve critical watershed areas.