Tourexpi
The TUI Care Foundation has introduced TUI Forest
Jamaica, a two-year programme designed to support forest restoration and
sustainable livelihoods in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country. Developed in partnership
with the Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency (STEA), the initiative targets
one of the island’s most environmentally significant regions.
Cockpit Country, located in west-central Jamaica,
covers approximately 94,000 hectares of karst limestone terrain. The area
supplies around 40 percent of Jamaica’s freshwater resources and hosts a high
concentration of endemic plant and animal species. Despite its ecological
importance, parts of the forest landscape remain under pressure from land
conversion, uncontrolled fires and climate-related stress.
Addressing ecological and socio-economic pressures
While 73,000 hectares of Cockpit Country are
designated as protected, surrounding sections and adjoining private lands
continue to face degradation risks. Approximately 70,000 residents living
across 59 neighbouring communities often depend on forest resources due to
limited employment opportunities.
The project seeks to mitigate these pressures by
linking conservation efforts with alternative income sources.
Large-scale native tree planting
As part of the programme, 32,000 native trees will be
planted in forest reserve zones affected by agricultural conversion.
Restoration activities will be coordinated through Local Forest Management
Committees, with STEA mobilising community participation.
An additional 8,000 agroforestry trees will be
introduced to support eco-tourism development. According to project planners,
this component is intended to reduce soil erosion, diversify land use and
create incentives for private landowners to engage in restoration efforts.
Community infrastructure and skills development
A seedling nursery will be established to supply
planting material, creating local employment in plant cultivation and facility
management. The programme also includes training for 25 women and men as tour
guides and hosts, focusing on biodiversity awareness and sustainable tourism
practices.
Infrastructure improvements will involve the
refurbishment of restrooms, a visitor centre and an outdoor kitchen, alongside
the reopening of trails. Educational signage and storyboards will provide
visitors with ecological context.
Employment and visitor engagement
The TUI Care Foundation estimates that more than 1,700
people will benefit directly from awareness campaigns and restoration
activities. The initiative is expected to generate 53 jobs within local
communities.
Enhanced eco-tourism facilities aim to accommodate
over 2,000 tourists and schoolchildren, integrating environmental education
with nature-based tourism experiences. An adopt-a-tree programme will offer
visitors opportunities to financially support long-term conservation
activities.
Part of broader reforestation agenda
The Jamaica project forms part of the TUI Care
Foundation’s “Forest February”, a series of activities dedicated to
community-led reforestation and sustainable agroforestry models. The programme
highlights the growing role of tourism-linked conservation strategies in
safeguarding forest ecosystems while supporting local economic resilience.
Image
Credit: © TUI
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