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| ENVIRONMENT | |||||||||
| INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS | |||||||||
| INTRODUCTION The Environment of Nevis is a very diverse one generated from the central mountainous area which encompasses the main watershed that lead to springs and aquifers, the radial drainage system or ghaut, the wetlands/swamp areas, the coastal and marine areas. These interconnected systems form the basis of a large and integrated ecosystem of which human beings is at the top of the chain. Human beings play a key role in the natural and built environment. Their key role is to manage the various components of the local environment and to ensure sustainable development. Hence the overall purpose of the Physical Planning, Natural Resource and Environment Department (PPNRE), is to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated planning system that will establish the direction and framework for effective development planning and control, and to promote a balanced growth and efficient resource utilization, in conjunction with sustainable use of the environment. It is therefore the duty of the PPNRE Department to identify and choose/suggest the best alternatives that will have the least or no adverse/negative impacts on our environment and to encourage those development activities that will have direct/indirect benefits to our country. The National Conservation and Environment Protection Act of 1987 (NCEPA) is the basic mechanism for protecting and managing the natural, cultural and historical resources of St Kitts & Nevis. NCEPA provides for the selection and establishment of protected areas (national parks, nature reserves, botanical gardens, historic sites, or areas of special concern - though not expressly listed). A Federal Conservation Commission advises the Minister of Development on conservation matters and the administration of protected areas, and to function as a corporate body in respect to property held in trust. It is suggested that given the non-functioning of this Commission (and possibly in the interim), that the PPNRE Department would advise the Minister responsible for the Environment in the Nevis Island Administration on these matters, as they affect Nevis. The NCEPA Act (No. 5 of 1987) further: - � requires preparation of management plans for protected areas; � establishes public right to access and recreational use of all beaches; � requires the preparation and implementation of a coastal zone management plan to regulate development activities in the coastal zone; � prohibits unauthorised sand mining and removal of beach vegetation; � prohibits waste disposal within the coastal zone; � provides for establishment of soil conservation regulations; � declares ghauts to be areas of special concern; � provides for the establishment of forest reserves and necessary regulations to protect them; � provides for the protection of designated wild animals and birds � prohibits unauthorised search and recovery of antiquities; � promotes conservation in the Federation as a part of long-term development planning. ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT The decision making process with regards to development takes into consideration the vital contribution of the public and private sectors, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as external agencies. A number of agencies contribution towards to the decision making process. COMPONENTS OF THE NEVIS ENVIRONMENT PRESENTLY IMPACTED BY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES � Encroachment into watershed areas by Quarry operators � Ghauts/natural drainage system - water pollution � Soil - erosion, increase surface water run-off � Ground Water - renewed at a slower rate � Wetlands - major hotel and coastal development � Beach - placement of revetment leading to erosion � Pollution and silting of Coastal waters (increase in turbidity) � Atmosphere - Air pollution (mostly particulate and smoke) � Employment � Economy � Wildlife Urban Encroachment Presently there is very little urban encroachment into surrounding agricultural lands and sensitive areas but this is changing with proposed subdivisions in a number of areas; most of the areas affected have been coastal areas. Development in Environmentally Sensitive Areas The use and development of areas considered to be environmentally sensitive by the Environmental Unit is controlled and protected in part by the National Conservation and Environment Protection Act of 1987 as well as ongoing development policies enacted by the Department. Environmentally sensitive areas are as follows: (a) All areas demarcated in the Zoning Plan as national parks, watershed, wildlife reserve and sanctuary. (b) Habitats, species of flora or fauna demarcated for protection in the Development Plan; (c) Areas of unique, historic, archaeological or scientific interest; (d) Areas likely to be affected by certain natural hazards; e.g. coastal retreat and inundation, tidal wave, volcanic activity; (e) Areas with critical slopes (f) Areas classified as high quality agriculture zones in the Development Plan (g) Recharge area for aquifers; (h) Areas supporting wildlife and fishing activities; (i) Mangrove areas: * located near or adjacent to traditional productive fry or fishing ground; * serving as natural buffers against offshore erosion, strong winds, storms and, floods; (j) Coral reefs characterised as: * a spawning and nursery ground for fish; * as natural breakwater along coastlines; * with 50% and above live coralline cover; Critical environmental Issues 1) Inclusion of environmental issues in the school curriculum 2) Capacity and institutional building for government and stakeholders. 3) Integrated planning to include environmental issues in economic development planning. 4) The use of economic instruments in environmental management 5) Establishment of environmental regulation and standards to deal with environmental issues. 6) Mechanisms for participatory approaches to encourage civil society to participate in environmental management 7) Need for coordination of resources. 8) Need for a coordinated approach for the implementation of environmental programmes and projects. 9) Lack of mechanisms to determine economic and environmental carrying capacity of natural resources. 10) Limited financing and knowledge of resource mobilization techniques. The following three arms of the Planning Department makes it possible for sustainable development on the island of Nevis: 1. Development Planning 2. Development Control & Enforcement 3. Environmental Planning and Economic Planning |
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