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Chapter VI - Development strategy for the national parks system.

Institutional analysis
Procedure for targeting a development strategy
Legislation
Procedure for creating units of the system
Evaluation
Establishment of regulations and penalties
Finance
Personnel
Training recommendations
Appendix I - Existing legislation relevant to natural and cultural areas protection
Appendix II - Specific policies for management categories. the national parks and protected areas system of Grenada

The National Parks and Protected Areas Program fits in directly with the economic development of Grenada. With Agriculture, Fisheries, and Tourism making up the vast majority of Grenada's GDP and foreign exchange earnings, a protected areas program can provide a broad variety of benefits to the country because of it's vital support for and linkages to these three sectors.

Institutional analysis

Given the tight fiscal constraints and that the Government is streamlining the Civil Service, the creation of a new management agency is not feasible. Establishment and management of a protected areas system must be based on existing institutions and personnel. All relevant institutions were examined in terms of their policy and objectives, legislation, programs, projects and principal activities, staffing, training, inter-agency collaboration and coordination, control and regulation of state lands or waters, and technical, financial, and administrative constraints.

The Forestry Department was chosen as the most appropriate institution to manage the National Parks and Protected Areas System. This decision was made by a committee made up of representatives from the Forestry Department, Fisheries Division, Land-use and Water Resources, The National Trust, The Historical Society, The Ministry of Education and Culture, and The Organization of American States.

Forestry was chosen because it has the following:

(a) legislation and formal policy which charge it with protecting the nation's fauna, flora, habitats, forests, watersheds and soil and water resources in order to fulfill a series of sustained production, recreation and conservation objectives and the establishment of terrestrial reserves to accomplish those ends;

(b) a notable series of well-designed projects being executed with success, several of which deal with management of an existing forest reserve (proposed Grand Etang National Park) and a multiple use area (Annandale Watershed);

(c) a motivated, active staff with very basic training in forestry, and which is dedicated to the concept of a protected areas program and system;

(d) demonstrated ability to obtain international and national funding and technical assistance and use it effectively and efficiently;

(e) excellent collaborative relationships with many other national agencies;

(f) a basic physical plant and equipment including recently renovated offices, a visitors interpretation center in the proposed Grand Etang National Park, vehicles, field gear etc; and

(g) effective control of several areas given it by Government.

With the gradual addition of certain personnel and a well-designed and executed training program, Forestry could manage most of the system: national parks, natural landmarks, cultural landmarks and multiple use management areas.

The Fisheries Division will assist Forestry in the management of Protected Seascapes and multiple use marine areas. As they have offices in each of the Parishes and in Carriacou, Fisheries has agreed to work closely with Forestry to facilitate in every way the establishment and management of the program.

To advise the Forestry Department on the restoration and management of Cultural Landmarks, the formation of a Cultural Landmarks Steering Committee has been proposed. The Ministry of Education and Culture are to provide technical and logistical support through the UNESCO office. In conjunction, the Historical Society and National Trust will nominate a Chairman of the Cultural Landmarks Steering Committee. Utilizing the National Trust Act of 1967, this team will attract outside funding, oversee the restoration of the cultural landmarks, and design educational programs.

The Agricultural Extension Division has the responsibility to patrol the protected areas on a regular basis to ensure squatting, cropping of wood products or wildlife, hunting, sandmining or any other activity which adversely affects the resource is prohibited or regulated as indicated in the management category. The Extension Officers will report any infraction to the appropriate authorities in the Forestry and/or Fisheries Division. It is recommended that in order to give the Extension Officers the necessary power to carry out this function that they be named Auxiliary Wardens.

The Extension Officers will be trained in their new duties by annual workshops which will be held to inform them of boundaries, regulations, goals and objectives of the Protected Areas Program.

The Horticulture Division with planning and supervision from the Forestry Department, Fisheries Division, and Cultural Landmarks Steering Committee will help to maintain the grounds around the visitor centers and cultural landmarks and to maintain where needed the trail systems. It is recommended that twenty (20) full time labourers from the Ministry of Works begin work on the restoration of Fort George, Fort Frederick, Carib's Leap and other public sites.

The Land-Use and Water Resources Division will contribute to the effective analysis of the protected areas by incorporating them into the land-use capability and integrated watershed management studies presently being conducted. The Protected Areas Policy strengthens the mandate of the Division specifically in the promotion of suitable land-use practices in the multiple use areas.

The Land Division should work closely with Forestry Department to resolve issues of land tenure. People who own land within Protected Areas will be contacted and alternatives will be researched to encourage that the areas remain in a natural state.

The Tourism Department will develop promotional materials and campaigns to attract visitors and citizens to use the Protected Areas for recreation and education. They will help to train tour guides concerning the importance, objectives, resources, facilities, and regulations of the Protected Areas.

The Education Department and Curriculum Development Unit will assist in the development of environmental and cultural resources and education curricula as integral parts of the social studies and science curricula and will promote training of teachers to utilize the curricula.

The Science and Technology Council will promote, coordinate and carry out key research needed for the planning and management of Protected Areas and promote public awareness and environmental education.

The Mirabeau Farm School is encouraged to add a course in integrated watershed planning and management which would include a solid emphasis on Protected Areas.

The Historical Society/National Trust/Cultural Landmarks Steering Committee - will be important to advise the Forestry Division on the development, management, and maintenance of Cultural Landmarks.

TABLE X INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF A PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN GRENADA

TABLE XI - ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF A SYSTEM OF NATIONAL PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS

RESPONSIBILITY MATRIX

MINISTRIES, DIVISION & PRIVATE GROUPS

Primary Responsibilities*

Forestry

Fisheries

Education and Curric. Dev.

Tourism

Horticulture

Land-use

Lands and Surveys

Agricultural Extension

Farm School

Historical Society

National Trust

Cultural Landmarks Steering Committee

Min. of Works

Coast Guard

Grenada Hotel Assoc.

Science & Technology

Council

Promote, coordinate and conduct research on protected areas

*

*





*









*


Promote and monitor education, research and environmental study opportunities

*

*










*




*


Conserve biological diversity

*

*
















Monitor and control land use practices that can adversely affect protected areas

*

*
















Provide recreation, interpretation and tourism services

*

*


*











*



Protect cultural sites and areas of historical and archaeologic significance

*










*

*






Protect and conserve scenic beauty and open space

*

*
















Produce timber, forage or marine products on sustained yield basis

*

*






*










Maintain open options, management flexibility; permit multiple use

*

*






*










Stimulate rational, sustainable use of marginal areas and rural development

*

*






*










Provide a cadre of trained educators to interpret the cultural and natural heritage of Grenada

*

*

*

*





*







*


Provide a cadre of trained rangers to patrol and protect cultural and protected areas

*

*






*






*




Identify critical areas to incorporate into a System of National Parks and Protected Areas

*

*


*


*





*

*






Research land tenure and approach land owners to donate or sell critical conservation areas

*

*





*











Advise Forestry and Fisheries on cultural landmark development, protection and maintenance




*




*

*

*

*







Maintain protected areas infrastructure; maintain protected areas ground and trails

*

*



*







*






Identify critical areas to incorporate into a System of National Parks and Protected Areas

*

*


*


*




*

*







Research land tenure and approach land owners to donate or sell critical conservation areas

*

*





*











Advise Forestry and Fisheries on cultural landmark development, protection and maintenance



*

*





*

*

*




*



Maintain protected areas infrastructure; maintain protected areas grounds and trails

*

*



*







*






TABLE XII - POTENTIAL USE OF PROTECTED AREAS (Excluding Cultural Landmarks)

4-Excellent
3-Good
2-Fair
0-Insignificant

PROTECTED AREA

Protection of Unique Resources

Endangered Species Habitat Conservation of Ecosystems

Recreation

Tourism

Education

Research

Wood

Forage

Fauna

Water



HIGH NORTH

4

4

4

4

4

4

2

3

4

3

NATIONAL PARK

36

GRAND ETANG

4

4

4

4

4

4

2

0

3

4

33

LEVERA

4

4

4

4

4

3

2

2

3

3

33

MT. ST. CATHERINE

3

2

2

2

0

2

0

0

3

4

18

MARQUIS ISLAND

3

3

3

3

2

2

0

2

3

0

NATURAL LANDMARK

21

ANNANDALE FALLS

2

2

4

4

3

2

0

0

2

3

22

LA BAYE ROCK

3

3

3

3

2

3

0

0

4

0

21

MARQUIS FALLS

2

2

3

3

2

2

0

0

3

3

20

LAKE ANTOINE

4

3

3

3

3

3

2

3

2

3

29













CONCORD FALLS

3

2

3

3

2

2

2

2

3

4

26

RIVER SALLEE

3

0

2

3

2

2

0

0

2

2

16

HOG ISLAND

4

4

2

2

3

3

0

3

4

0

25

QUARANTINE POINT

2

2

3

3

3

2

0

0

2

0

17

NORTHERN SEASCAPE

3

3

4

4

3

3

0

2

3

3

PROTECTED SEASCAPE

28

SOUTHERN SEASCAPE

3

3

2

2

3

3

0

2

3

3

24

CALIVIGNY ISLAND

2

3

3

3

2

2

0

3

3

0

21

CANOE BAY

3

2

3

3

2

2

0

2

3

0

20

LA SAGESSE

3

4

3

4

4

4

2

3

3

3

33

TYRREL BAY

3

4

2

2

3

4

2

2

3

3

28

SALINE/WHITE ISLANDS

4

4

3

3

3

3

0

2

3

0

25

LAURISTON MABOUYA












SANDY ISLAND

3

3

3

4

3

3

2

3

3

2

29

LIMLAIR-THIBAUD

2

2

3

3

3

1

2

3

2

3

24

SABAZAN

2

2

2

3

3

3

2

2

2

0

21

MOLINERE REEF

4

4

4

4

4

4

0

0

4

0

28

ANNANDALE

2

2

3

4

2

2

2

2

3

4

MULTIPLE USE

26

CONCORD

2

2

3

4

2

2

2

2

3

4

26

CHEMIN RIVER

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

4

23

MT. HOPE/CLABONY

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

4

23

GRAND ETANG

3

2

2

2

2

2

4

0

3

4

FOREST RESERVE

24

CENTRAL RANGE & BELLE VUE SOUTH

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

0

3

3

21

TABLE XIII - ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS OF PROTECTED AREAS

1-Insignificant
2-Significant
3-Good
4-Very Good
5-Excellent

 

NATURAL REGIONS

TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

GEOMORPHOLOGIC VALUES FORMATIONS

UNIQUE

TOTAL

Caribbean Sea (Leeward)

Littoral - Beach

Cordillera

Atlantic Ocean

Tropical Dry Thorn scrub

Tropical Dry Forest

Tropical Moist

Lower Montane

Montane

Elfin Woodland

Lakes

Marshes - Bogs

Mangroves - Mudflats

Estuary

River systems

Volcanic Unique Site

Scenic Beauty

Flora/Fauna

Uniqueness

Historical/Cultural Value

High North

5

5

5

5

5

5







5

2

2

5

5

5

5

5

67

Grand Etang




5




5

5

5

5

5



5

5

5

5

5

3

58

Levera

5


5

3

5

5

2






5

3

2

4

5

5

5

2

56

Saline/White Islands

5

5

5

2

5







3

5

2


5

5

5

5

2

54

Mt. St. Catherine




5



5

5

5







5

4

4

5


38

Northern Seascape

5


5


5

3






3

4

5

4

1

5

4

2