CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE Nevis Peak, its camps watershed and the marine reef structure in the Narrows have recently become the target of an environmental study aimed at facilitating decisions to make them possible National Park Protected areas.

SKNVibes learnt from Rene Walters, Physical Planner of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), that this was possible due to a grant awarded by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to the Nevis Island Government and its Physical Planning Department. The grant was awarded in April 2008.

Nevis was awarded for commitment to the St. George’s Declaration developed by the people and governments of the Eastern Caribbean.

The St. George’s Declaration consists of 21 principles geared towards sustainable protection of bio-diversity and ensuring they are backed by legislation. Island Resource Foundation (IRF) of Washington DC was contracted to do an environmental assessment and management plan for the area of study.   

The study started in early February this year.

In January, IRF President Bruce Potter introduced the project’s key personnel in the persons of Ernie Stapleton, Secretary of Planning and Communication; Director of the Physical Planning Department Angela Walters; Planning Department Project Manager Rene Walters; and onsite Island Resources Manager David Robinson.

Rene Walters expressed the need for such a project as the protection for a valuable environmental part of Nevis. She said it is needed to protect the island from the continuing encroachment of buildings above the 1 000 foot level and protection of fresh water resources that start in the Peak area. She also said it is a cooperative programme with strong input from the Maroon Community Group, Rawlins Community and Camps/New Castle Community.

She indicated that the project would take on four significant areas of study: Defining a clear boundary for the protected area(s); a study of literature detailing the protected area, such as how protected areas work, the biodiversity of the area and its vegetation plus soil, climate and geography; conducting field research on the biological resources within the proposed protected area; and preparing a management plan for the proposed protected area.

A strong core committee has been selected representing various departments of government and private entities that are or will be affected by the establishment of a protected area.  The programme has a website which is used to post information about the project.

Project Coordinator David Robinson said that it is especially important that the project identify with the residents of Nevis living in the protected area, people who make their living in those areas and people who see opportunities to make a living there or for its use.

He urges interested people to email him at drobinson@nevis-nhcs.org if they would like more information about the project or would like to join the Nevis Peak Project website. Discussion about the project will be published as research is performed.