Sep 02, 2025
Six new forest parcels declared forest management areas
Six parcels of forested crown lands totalling approximately 175 hectares are now formally declared as Forest Management Areas (FMA) under the Forest Act (1996), a highly welcomed action towards safeguarding our environment for current and future generations.
Prime Minister the Most Honourable Dr. Andrew Holness recently signed the declaration to increase the number of forested areas under legal protection, increasing the quantity of forests legally protected. This latest action supports the Forestry Department’s effort to ensure a minimum of 30 per cent of the island’s forest cover is protected and managed. Presently, approximately 48 per cent of the island is classified as forest.
The Forestry Department (the Agency) is working to expand the forested areas under its management as part of our mandate to protect and conserve forest resources. CEO and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley A. Henry, said, “The Agency continues to expend significant efforts annually to secure Jamaica’s vital forest cover through additional protection of forested areas through declarations.”
The six newly declared FMAs, totalling approximately 175 hectares, are among 35 parcels already proposed by the Agency to be granted protection over the next few years. These new FMAs include:
- Greenvale Forest Management Area, Manchester (5.92 hectares)
- Grantsfield Forest Management Area, Portland (8.09 hectares)
- Belfont 2 Forest Management Area, St. James (110.51 hectares)
- Fern Hill Forest Management Area, Manchester (6.33 hectares)
- Hall Head and Coley Forest Management Area, St. Thomas (37.96 hectares)
- Stettin Forest Management Area, Trelawny (6.14 hectares)
The Forest Act (1996) makes provisions for forested lands to be protected for national interest. The Forestry Department, as the government agency responsible for managing public forested lands, makes annual proposals for crown lands to be protected.
The Agency currently manages approximately 23% of the island’s forest cover, meaning that most forests identified are privately owned. However, privately owned forests may also receive protection through declaration.
Under the Forest Act, 1996, private landowners may apply to the Agency for their forested lands to be protected by law. What’s in it for the landowner? A liveable environment, continued ownership, sustainably managed areas, legal protection and remission of taxes.
Kadian Cruickshank, Senior Director, Legal Services at the Forestry Department, said, “Private landowners who have their lands declared under the Forest Act (1996) are entitled to the remission of taxes once the use of the land complies with the Forest Act (1996), Forest Regulations (2001) and the forest management plan for your land”. These parcels of land are assessed by the Agency annually for compliance, and a recommendation for the tax remission is made based on that assessment.
Sustainably managed forests are prized for their resources, including soil and water; the provision of recreational amenities; the protection of endemic flora and fauna; the opportunities to conduct research; the potential for bioproducts and more. These and many other functions and values provide incalculable benefits to the public. This is a part of why the Forestry Department aims to ensure that a minimum of 30% of Jamaica’s forest cover is brought under protection and management by 2030. As the Agency works to safeguard forests, it encourages private landowners to actively participate in environmental conservation by making their underutilised lands available for declaration as a Forest Reserve or Forest Management Area and/or through the establishment of production forests/plantations for timber. A fi wi forests: let us protect them.
Photo caption: A narrow trail cutting through a section of the verdant Gourie Forest Management Area, Manchester
