Last Updated on September 10, 2022, 7:01 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Department of Environment in St Kitts and Nevis has unveiled a new signage at the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park on Friday, September 9, 2022. This unveiling was a part of the department’s Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Project.
Minister of Environment, Dr Joyelle Clarke, made a remark on the sign which reads “Detect, Declare, and Protect,” stating that it is timely and essential.
“This signage is a reminder that we all have to play a part in managing the spread and cost of invasive alien species.”
She said, “Today, we are talking about the (invasion of) Green Vervet Monkey. The problem is that some people feel it is only the farmers who are affected, but we recognize that various stakeholders are now feeling the effects of the invasion here in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
“Our signage here reminds us that we must do our best to prevent the next invasion. We must play our part in detecting, declaring and protecting our island from any future invasion.”
Minister Clarke thanked the staff at the Department of Environment for their work, stating that the project will make use of a multi-stakeholder approach as the department plans to involve the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism in the project.
Sharon Rattan, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, was also on hand to witness the signage unveiling. She noted that it is imperative to understand the “stark reality that the monkeys have had a very debilitating effect on our agriculture.”
Environmental Scientist in the Department of Environment and Project Director for the IAS Project, Eavin Parry, said the signage is intended to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of IAS on our way of life.
The signage ceremony was an element of the public awareness component of Global Environment Facility (GEF) project entitled Preventing Cost of Alien Species in Barbados and the OECS Countries.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
