The Government of Dominica under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment, utilizing resources from the Global Environment (GEF) fund Leveraging Eco-Tourism for Biodiversity Protection Project through the World Bank has commissioned a Consultancy, to Develop an Overall Management Plan for Cabrits National Park.
The contract was awarded to Canadian based Company Integrated Governance Solutions, with local historian Dr. Lennox Honychurcn part of the team.
On completion the plan will outline the vision and direction for this Protected Area. It will:
- Describe the key features and values of the protected area (such as natural, cultural and recreation values)
- Identify future appropriate management activities
- Determine the appropriate levels of use and development
- Establish the long-term vision and management objectives to be met
Currently, a team of consultants are on island researching critical information gathering that will go into preparing a Draft Background Report. That report will summarize the information gathered from interviews and literature reviews which are currently underway.
Following completion of the Background Report it will published again for more public comments and further revisions to be made. On completion of this Background Report, a Draft Management Plan will be prepared.
It is at this stage that the Consultant Team will identify the desired future conditions for the national park (the vision) and develop principles that will be used to prescribe actions and programs for informing the future management of the Protected Area. Previously identified interests and issues will be discussed, and appropriate management objectives and strategies, to include among other recommendations a zoning plan.
This draft management plan will be posted for public review and comment, and public meetings will be held to gather final feedback.
Once the public comments have been reviewed, a Final Management Plan will be completed and sent to the responsible Ministry for final approval.
How can you be Involved?
The Ministry of Environment is hereby seeking the support of the public even at this stage of preparation of the Draft Background Report and later during the preparation of the Draft Management Plan.
The public is hereby invited to participate in the preparation of the Draft Background Report by:
- Joining the ongoing consultations
- Call the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at Tel. No. (767-266-3998, or the Forestry Division at telephone numbers – 266-5851/5852)
- Sending comments to the consultants via email (ealcrpexecassistant@gmail.com)
- Visiting the Project Office at 19-21 King George V Street or the Forestry Division near Valley Road Roseau
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