KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government will be embarking on Operation RE-LEAF and phase two of the National Tree Planting Initiative (NTPI2), as part of efforts to restore Jamaica’s forests which were devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October.

Minister with responsibility for the environment, Matthew Samuda, spoke to the initiatives during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives.

Samuda told the House that assessments conducted by the Forestry Department in November and December revealed that approximately 51 per cent of impacted forests experienced moderate to severe damage. This is defined by canopy loss exceeding half of pre-hurricane cover, broken and uprooted trees, exposed soils and compromised watershed function.

“This level of forest loss has real, immediate and potentially catastrophic consequences. These consequences include increased water insecurity, increased flood and landslide risks, undermines biodiversity, and threatens years of public investment in reforestation, long term climate resilience and environmental stewardship,” said Samuda.

He shared that the Forestry Department has developed the RE-LEAF Initiative — Reforestation, Ecological Enhancement and Landscape Framework — which will now serve as Jamaica’s national operational framework for not only post-hurricane Melissa forest recovery but long-term resilience building.

Pointing out that RE-LEAF is not a one-size-fits-all programme, Samuda explained that it is a targeted, tiered approach that prioritises interventions based on severity of damage; watershed and ecological importance; risk to communities and infrastructure; and operational feasibility.

Under phase one of RE-LEAF, between January and June 2026, the Forestry Department will replant 300,000 seedlings, with more than 170,000 directed to priority watersheds and 50,000 within urban and peri-urban areas. At least 30,000 of these will be fruit trees. This, Samuda said, “will ensure that ecological restoration goes hand-in-hand with food security, livelihoods, and community resilience”.

Meanwhile, Samuda said NTPI2, will be rolled out with the goal of planting three million trees, similar to the number achieved in phase one.

“This initiative will be fully integrated into the RE-LEAF framework and will serve as a cornerstone of our long-term forest recovery strategy,” Samuda stated.

He noted that NTPI2 is intended to reinforce the Government’s commitment to watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, urban greening, and climate adaptation.

The environment minister said the aim is to complete NTPI2 in less than five years. He said the launch will take place between January 29 and February 2, with targeted planting activities across forest reserves, private lands, mangrove ecosystems, and urban centres—from Lowe River in Trelawny, to Croydon Estate and Kew Park in St James, to Parottee in St Elizabeth, and communities such as Black River and Savanna-la-Mar.

“These locations are not merely symbolic. They are strategic, representing the integrated approach this Government is taking—linking forests to water, sustainable land husbandry, climate resilience to food security, national policy, and most importantly community action” shared Samuda.

-Lynford Simpson