Government to finalise designation of five new protected areas across the country by March 2027

The Government will finalise the designation of five new protected areas across the country by March 2027.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, noted that these areas will include Bengal in St. Ann, the Negril Environmental Protection Area spanning Hanover and Westmoreland, Long Mountain in St. Andrew, Montpelier in St. James, and Canoe Valley in Clarendon and Manchester.

He also stated that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Forestry Department, has declared 17 new forest management areas under the Forest Act in the 2025/26 financial year and is working on finalising the declaration of 22 new forest reserves.

The Minister also advised that plans to declare the Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston as a forest management area are well advanced. He said that the document is at the printing office to be gazetted.

Minister Samuda noted that Jamaica has already protected 25 per cent of its landmass and 15 per cent of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

He said that it is expected that the 30 per cent target, which is in line with global standards, will be met, well before 2030.

Mr. Samuda was delivering his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House on Tuesday.