COUNTRY REPORT: FORESTRY OUTLOOK STUDY FOR THE CARIBBEAN
OUTLOOK ASPECTS OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR
Main Issues or Constrains
A Deforestation and Forest Degradation.
The forest inventories carried out in 1984 and 1993 have shown a gradual decline in the extent of the natural forest cover.
Primary cause is due the squatting for the production of legal and illegal crops.
B Impact of Trade on Agricultural Produce
Where it stimulates demands and thus causes an expansion in the production of agricultural crops pressure on forest lands will increase.
C Alternative Forest Incomes
Increasing demand for the use of natural areas for eco-tourism development.
D Legislation and Policy
Need to address in the context of the changing environment.
E Sustainable Forest Management
Institutional capacity
Inadequate knowledge of forest resource
F Coordination of Policies and Public Consultation
There are several fragmented and overlapping legislative responsibilities in the management of the natural resources.
Frequent interference of politicians in the implementation of relevant policies and legislation.
G Poverty, Equity and Human Development
High unemployment
Significantly high youthful population
A population that is increasingly adopting antisocial attitudes and values.
H Institutional Constraints
Quantatiavely inadequate staff
Limited financial, technological resources
Research capacity(data collection)
I Limited Land Area and Natural Resources
ST.Vincent has a high rainfall (approx.7000 mm/yr)
Soil volcanic in origin and easily eroded.
Very steep terrain
Pressure on land for agriculture, housing and infastructural development
J Integrated Land Use Planning
A national physical development plan has been drafted. Imputs from all sectors followed by national consultations
K Vulnerability To Natural Hazards
Such as hurricane and volcanic eruptions.
L High Species Endemism and High Risk Loss Of Biological Diversity
Major threats to biodiversity are deforestation, introduction of exotic species, hunting, exotic diseases, and out of seasons hunting.
