Saint Kitts and Nevis

The St. Kitts and Nevis National Disaster Management Agency was established under the National Disaster Management Act of St Christopher and Nevis 1998. Apart from the legislation which relates directly to disaster management and mitigation, there is also a physical planning and development policies to address the implications for disaster mitigation. The Federation is particularly vulnerable to damage from tropical storms. Earthquakes are derived directly from the tectonic interaction of the Caribbean and Atlantic Plates. A secondary concern is earthquake driven tsunamis which could cause considerable damage and loss of life in lo-lying, densely populated coastal areas. There is no historic record of major volcanic eruption in St. Kitts and Nevis. Nevertheless, the islands are geologically young and are experiencing minor activity at their Mt. Liamuiga and Nevis Peak outlets.

The costal and marine resources issue is addressed under integrated regulations of watershed and coastal area management base on the National Conservation and Environmental Protection Act (NCEPA) 1987. The National Report on Integrating the Management of Watersheds and Coastal Areas in St. Kitts and Nevis was established in 2001.

The Federation’s coastal zone constitutes a rich and unique habitat, which includes coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, salt ponds, diverse aquatic life and the coastline. St. Kitts has a fragile 78.1 km long coastline consisting of 34.7 km cliff (rocks), 10.8 km cobble, 6.3 km boulders and rocks, 13.1 km black volcanic sand, and 13.2 km golden sand. These coastal resources provide the basis for a range of economic and social activities, including the tourism and fishing industries. There are also strong cultural attachments to coastal resources and their uses. The sustainability of coastal and marine resources is affected by a number of human activities such as sand mining, over-fishing and destruction of reefs. Certain areas of the Federation, notably along the important tourism area of Pinneys Beach in Nevis, have experienced dramatic rates of coastal erosion with considerable economic costs to owners and the national economy. Nevertheless significant areas, particularly on the South-East Peninsula in St Kitts, remain relatively pristine and are targeted for tourism and other development.

The Planning Divisions of St. Kitts and Nevis have been authorised under the Development Control and Planning Act 2000 to exercise development control measures. St. Kitts and Nevis released a National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) in 2003 for the development of land and for the preservation and improvement of related amenities. Development also followed the Integrated Planning, Land Use and Development Control Policy for the period 2001-2005. There is also the St. Kitts and Nevis Building Code to address building regulations, which have been incorporated into the Development Control and Planning Act 2000. Land resources of St. Kitts and Nevis consist of volcanic mountains, rain forests and beaches. Most of the flat or moderately sloped land occurs near the coast and is where most of the urban and agricultural developments occur. Forests in St Kitts and Nevis continue to be of vital importance to sustainable development, particularly in relation to water supply, fuel-wood and the prevention of erosion and landslides. An estimated 37% of land area on St Kitts and 20% on Nevis is forested. Traditionally, forestry management has been directed primarily towards watershed protection and soil stabilization. With the growth of tourism, the importance of forested areas as eco-tourism attractions has become increasingly significant. In St. Kitts, the Government owns approximately 80% of the lands, of this around 30% is used by SSMC for producing sugar cane. And on Nevis, private individuals own most of the lands, with the Government owning only a small portion.

The country’s tourism industry is based on a combination of natural and historic attractions, notably the islands’ coastal and marine environment and rich historical heritage. The tourism sector is now the dominant engine for economic growth and is the principal source of foreign exchange and employment. St. Kitts and Nevis’ tourism-dependent economy was severely impacted by the global financial crisis, and near-term growth prospects remain challenging. Economic activity is estimated to have contracted by 5.5 percent in 2009 reflecting sharp declines in tourism and tourism-related construction activities. On the island of Nevis, the prolonged closure of its largest hotel due to damage by Hurricane Omar in 2008 has also contributed to the Federation’s weak economy.