Page 5 - The Maroons

At first, in 1970-80, the Government of Jamaica attempted to redefine the Maroon treaty rights, their
autonomy, and the extent of their land ownership outlined in 'Maroon Autonomy in Jamaica' by
Kenneth Bilby and reported occasionally in The Gleaner, but the Maroons held to these rights, their
land, and self-determination for the benefit of their communities.

Eventually, in trying to acquire more land for bauxite mining, the Government of Jamaica issued some
six special mining leases and established proposed boundaries of the Cockpit Country through nine
different stakeholder groups to try and facilitate the mining. The mining leases were designed by a
single individual to include all bauxite-laden property and exclude non-bauxite land and has been a
main reason for this untenable situation which is confusing and cannot be supported by any sensible
person.

The Government of Jamaica announced that there would be a Cockpit Country Protected Area in
which no mining would take place; however, this area has not been completely defined and agreed
upon by the GOJ/Noranda combined because the Maroons, the Cockpit Country stakeholder groups,
as well as thousands of other Jamaicans who are familiar with the project realise that the mining
leases would jeopardise the entire area and none of the nine proposed boundaries can protect the
Cockpit Country.

They represent nine overlapping boundaries and one problem with one solution — there can be no
mining in the Cockpit Country!

Maroon territories in Jamaica have a history and culture of incalculable and timeless value. The
physical properties formed over millions of years are a priceless ecological treasure which modify
Jamaica's climate. It is a great soil source — some say second best in the world — supplies 40 per
cent or more of our water supply and the Black River and morass, Great River, Martha Brae, Rio
Grande, Appleton Estate water supply and exports totalling over US$10 million of yams in a year.

The Cockpit Country and other Maroon territories are underdeveloped agricultural regions ready for
food production, economic and agro-industrial development. Community, cultural, environmental,
health, wellness and medicinal tourism, and other activities that can provide sustainable development
and incomes for thousands of Jamaicans. Why would we not develop our country to provide food and
a better standard of living for our people from the land, countering climate change and its problems,
as the governor general just said?

John Allgrove's article 'Before you pour more concrete', also successfully argues the case for the
current Government — which says it values the environment — to reconsider its decision and use the
Bernard Lodge and Caymanas lands for agricultural purposes and not urban development. Sound
advice, as we imported nearly US$1 billion of food last year, which seems to increase in cost to
consumers daily.

Jamaica is one of the high-risk countries that may suffer greatly from climate change, decreasing our
potential food supply and water resources, so it is imperative that every acre of land be used as