A team from the Barbados-based Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA) Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme (CREP) will visit the island today to meet with the Jamaican government and non-government environmental groups to discuss the national priorities for biodiversity and protected area management.

In addition, the parties will recommend specific areas to be considered for assessment and auditing by the consultants, as well as for sustainable management demonstrative activities under CREP.

The visit, which ends on March 23, is part of CREP’s consultation phase, which involves the CCA/CREP team holding consultations in 13 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that are benefiting from the US$8-million programme being implemented in the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific states. The programe is funded by the European Union.

The team comprises CCA’s executive director, Dr Joth Singh; CREP’s programme manager, Cathal Healy-Singh; and technical officer, Yuri Chakalall. The meetings will take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

CREP aims to create a model for sustainable development through the sharing of management decisions between communities, NGOs and government as they relate to natural resources protection, pollution prevention and livelihood improvements.