ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, May 25th, 2012 – Residents throughout the Territory are being encouraged to do their part to safeguard the Virgin Island’s (VI) natural environment as part of Environment month which will be observed in June.
The month is being observed worldwide under the theme ‘The Green Economy: Does it Include You?’
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering said, “The environment must be protected and managed for the enjoyment of present and future generations and this year’s theme is quite fitting to serve as a boast to encourage residents to safeguard our natural environment”.
“Let us use the month of June to reflect and focus on ways in which the Territory can reduce their environmental impact, to improve their environmental practices and commitment for 2012 and beyond putting into practice initiatives such as the ‘Green Pledge’ initiative,” Minister Pickering added.
Honourable Pickering continued to explain that the Green Pledge initiative is aimed at getting businesses, organisations and government departments to reduce energy and water use, waste production, support environmental initiatives and promote environmental awareness.
Acting Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr. Kelvin Penn encourages the public to participate in the scheduled events as the department’s goal is to consistently make the people of the Virgin Islands aware of their natural resources and to ensure the sustainability of its prestige resources.
“We depend on our environment for survival and our environment depends on us for sustainability and with this on-going process, it is most imperative that the entire population of the Virgin Islands become aware of the fragility of our environment,” Mr. Penn stated.
Activities for June’s Environment Month includes a Church Service at the Sea Cow’s Bay Methodist Church on Sunday, June 3 at 7:30 am, The Green Matters Exposition at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on Tuesday, June 5 from 10 am to 5pm, which will include the State of the Environment Address by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering declaring the day as World Environment Day. Activities will continue on Wednesday, June 13 with the Parade for the Plant at 3:30 pm, and a Sunset Service at Cane Garden Bay on Saturday, June 30 at 5:30 pm.
As a wrap-up to the month’s activities, Fisherman’s Day will be celebrated on Monday, July 2 at Long Bay Beef Island Beach where fisherfolks can participate in a fishing tournament.
The month’s activities are being hosted by the Conservation and Fisheries Department, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour in collaboration with the BVI Electricity Corporation.
Green Pledges should be made no later than Friday, June 1 and registration forms are available on the Conservation and Fisheries Department’s website www.bvidef.org and can be submitted by email to cfd@gov.vg, fax 494-2670 or delivered to the Department at the Quastisky Building on the 2nd floor in Road Town.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Conservation and Fisheries Department endeavour to effectively manage and administer the natural resources of the territory in a manner that ensures long term sustainability.
Environment Month has been celebrated annually in the Territory since 1993 and aims to bring awareness to the public about the importance of preserving the environment.
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British Virgin Islands News