New initiative launched to protect Rio Cobre

A new initiative is being undertaken to help better preserve the Rio Cobre in St Catherine.

Rotary International, in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), on Thursday launched the Rotary Adopt-a-River programme in Jamaica, focusing on the Rio Cobre.

The initiative encourages community stakeholders to participate in preserving the river, which has faced significant contamination issues over the years.

The Rotary Clubs of Spanish Town, Portmore, and North St Catherine are the first in the Caribbean to lead this effort.

Michael Terrelonge, Rotary Past Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7020, emphasised the river's importance at the launch event held at the Chrietel House Auditorium in Spanish Town.

"The Rio Cobre is not just a river, it's the lifeline for communities. We need to care for it like a precious child and preserve it for future generations. Through the Rotary Adopt-a-River programme, Rotary is taking a significant step towards ensuring its sustainability and addressing the pressing challenges," Terrelonge stated.

Christopher Corbin, UNEP coordinator for freshwater ecosystem preservation in the Caribbean, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the initiative.

"This takes it a lot further; first of all, it involves a multi-year exercise, it involves different stakeholders' analysis, it involves data generation and government agencies coming together working with local communities to take action," he revealed.

The UNEP will leverage expertise from other regions and utilise resources from the University of the West Indies (UWI) to support the initiative.

- Ruddy Mathison

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