THE Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT) has renewed its efforts to build public awareness and support for the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park.

This comes as the national committee works on the resubmission of the nomination for the area as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Speaking at a media briefing at Strawberry Hill Hotel and Spa in Irish Town on February 29, JCDT consultant Dr Susan Otuokon noted that there is a need for greater awareness among Jamaicans about the Blue and John Crow Mountains and the national and international significance of its natural and cultural heritage, in addition to its recreational offerings and tourism potential.

To do so, they have launched the Blue Mountains Campaign, which is aimed at getting 100,000 Jamaicans to become “Friends of the Blue Mountains” through the donation of at least $2,000. Those who do not have the funds can make their donation by participating in the walkathon for the Blue Mountains set for the Mona Reservoir on World Water Day on March 24, according to Otuokon.

Meanwhile, she noted that a feature of the campaign is the the Blue Mountains Sustainable Tourism Programme — brainchild of the JCDT and communities in around the mountain — would make the vision for the conservation of the Blue and John Crow Mountains region a reality.

The programme is to cover four components, notably:

* governance, through the establishment of cluster groups and advisory committee with the JCDT as secretariat;

* Operations of the Blue Mountains sustainable co-ordination and marketing office with the JCDT to provide packaging for tour, marketing and booking of the destination;

* product development through planning, infrastructure improvements and maintainance of standards within the national park as well as inside the communities; and

* environmental management to ensure sustainability.

However, Otuokon was quick to add that the programme faces the critical challenge of funding.

“It will require about $90 million over a three-year period and thereafter about $8 million per annum for operations. JCDT has sought funds from the Inter-American Development Bank, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, the GEF Small Grants Programme, the Travel Foundation, etcetra without success,” she said.

Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew Damion Crawford has thrown his support behind the campaign to raise funds for the national park, while citing the low level of economic activity in the constituency. According to Crawford, he sees sustainable tourism in the Blue Mountains as having the great potential to both boosting economic opportunities in the constituency while taking care of the forests which have been damaged by the type of agriculture practised in the area.