Jamaica country environmental profile

Part I describes the physical and cultural context and provides an institutional overview. Part II identifies Jamaica"s major environmental problems (air pollution, surface and ground water pollution, deforestation, soil and shoreline erosion, destruction of wildlife and their habitat, and serious deficiencies in urban infrastructure), points out the key constraints to environmental management (among which the low level of public awareness is cited as perhaps the most important), and makes related policy and project recommendations. Part III presents detailed information on Jamaica"s major resource sectors - the people and their culture, the resource base (coastal and water resources, wildlife, and national parks and protected areas), environmental areas related to the economy (fisheries, forestry, tourism and recreation, minerals and mining, energy resources, and agricultural resources), and the "built" environment (urban and rural infrastructure, industry and industrial pollution, and environmental hazards). For each of these sectors, the profile summarizes existing conditions and institutional responsibilities, identifies major issues and programs, and discusses directions for future work. Includes 74 figures, 98 tables, and an 11-page bibliography.