🌴 National Trust warns against gutting National Conservation Act

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has issued a warning about the government's plans to gut the National Conservation Act (NCA). The organization claims that the proposed amendments to the legislation could make development easier at the expense of the islands' natural resources. The NCA was initially passed to protect these resources, which are rapidly disappearing due to development. The National Trust argues that any changes that weaken the NCA could harm the environment and the people of the Cayman Islands. 🌊

Despite holding a permanent seat on the National Conservation Council and being legally mandated to advise the government on conservation matters, the National Trust says it was not consulted about the potential amendments to the NCA. The organization has called on elected officials to uphold good governance standards and not rush through amendments without proper public consultation. The National Trust has also emphasized that the NCA does not hinder development but encourages decision-makers to develop in a way that benefits everyone. 🏛️

The National Trust's statement comes amid a false narrative that the NCA is hampering development and delegating all authority to the director of the Department of the Environment. The organization has pointed out that this is not the first time the NCA has come under attack since its enactment in 2013. It remains committed to opposing any amendments that would weaken the NCA and urges the public to defend the protections the NCA offers. 🌳