KINGSTON, Jamaica — More than $30 million will be allocated to restore the island’s public gardens and scenic avenues severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl on July 3.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mines, Floyd Green, announced that at least $17 million of this amount will be dedicated to restoring the historic Dutch bamboo forest in St. Elizabeth, utilizing seedlings from the nursery.
In a recent statement to the House of Commons, Green provided an update on the Government’s recovery and relief efforts, emphasizing the importance of these areas not only for tourism but also as vital ecological reserves.
The Minister reported extensive damage in several locations, with the worst affected being the Holland Bamboo Scenic Avenue, where 70 to 80 percent of the old-growth bamboo forest was destroyed.
Additional damage included fallen trees and infrastructure damage at Castleton Botanic Gardens in St Mary, Cinchona in St Andrew, and Bath in St Thomas.
“Fern Gully Scenic Avenue, although the least affected, also lost a significant number of ferns,” Green noted.
The total estimated cost of restoring the public gardens and landscaped avenues is J$31.13 million. This investment is necessary to return these national treasures to their former glory, highlighting their importance for both ecological balance and tourism.
