Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

SVG has established a National Disaster Plan to deal with both natural and man-made disasters. A national vulnerability assessment is under consideration by the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and the National Hazard Mitigation Council under the current Emergency Recovery and Disaster Management Project (ERDM). The National Emergency and Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2006 in the country. The geographical location of SVG falls in the path of hurricanes and tropical storms originating in the Atlantic. The subtropical anticyclones and the inter-tropical convergence zone influence local climatic conditions. Because of the islands low latitude, most tropical storms originating along the west coast of Africa have drifted further north by the time they hit the Caribbean Sea. In 1980, Hurricane Allen damaged the entire eastern coastline of the island. A number of public investments have occurred along the coast in recent years for disaster preparedness management.

SVG has several pieces of legislation to manage coastal and marine resources. In addition, the Adaptation Measures in Coastal Zones (GEF) Project is being implemented. Coastal and marine resource-based activities are a major revenue stream for Vincentians. Approximately greater than 42 hectares of mangroves remain along coastal areas in SVG. The rich resources of coral reefs are important to St. Vincent’s economy, with estimated values between $ 466,801 and $141, 136,608 USD. SVG is already experiencing degradation in many areas. Overfishing, coastal habitat destruction, sedimentation, solid waste and sewage disposal from land-based and boat sources, as well as the recreational abuse of coral reefs have been cited as causal factors for this deterioration.

SVG has several projects and regulations related to sustainable use and conservation of land resources. SVG has signed the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and ratified it in July of 1998. The Integrated Forest Management and Development Programme has been established, and a program for agricultural diversification has also been developed in the country. SVG has a total land area of 345 km². Of that total, 139 km² are allocated to agricultural use and 121 km² to forestland. The soils of the island are fertile, with ample rainfall supporting a wide variety of agricultural commodities. SVG is one of the only two countries (Cuba is the other) in the region that have managed to significantly increase their forest covers between 1990-2000 and 2000-2005 by 0.8% and 0.8% respectively. Accelerated global warming and increasing CO2 concentrations are expected to have substantial impacts on agriculture and forests. SVG’s land area has been under constant pressure. Land-use planning/zoning and the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are being utilized by SVG to reduce development pressures in sensitive areas. SVG has also promoted a high-density housing policy, but the execution of this activity is largely constrained in the country.

SVG has established its Tourism Development Project (TDP). The development of a National Parks System is considered as a major component of the TDP. There are also several strategic plans for the tourism sector. Tourism has replaced the agriculture industry as the largest source of income in SVG. However, tourism activity in SVG has lagged behind when compared with other Caribbean destinations. A community-based tourism strategy has been implemented in SVG to address the conservation and preservation of tourism-site resources. The establishment of the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority is expected to play a significant role in this area once it is operational. The disastrous impacts of climate change and sea level rise are causing gradual erosion of coastal areas, impacting the tourism industry which leans heavily up on them for its livelihood. For example, a number of white sandy beaches and vibrant offshore coral reefs are boasted to form the mainstay of the SVG’s tourism industry, and their erosion has proven problematic in the country.