GEF Antigua and Barbuda

2008 marked the start of the Rehabilitation of the Body Ponds Watershed through the Forestry Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Marine Resources and Agro-Industries with close collaboration with the Environment Division in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and the Environment.

Antigua and Barbuda supports a range of globally and regionally significant terrestrial marine habitats and species. Several problems including inadequate conservation, planning and management of these important, yet limited, resources has resulted in both a loss of species diversity and degradation of the functionality of the island ecosystems. The Sustainable Island Resource Management Mechanism (SIRMM) Project is designed to address issues on a national level with participation and involvement of stakeholders.

One aspect of the SIRMM Project is the Rehabilitation of the Body Ponds Watershed. This watershed is the largest watershed in Antigua and is important for agriculture and livestock farming. The watershed is now heavily eroded and overrun by Lemon grass (Citronella sp.). Vegetation and soil layers are very dry during the drought season which promotes forest and grass fires. There is also unregulated topsoil and sand mining in the streambeds. Ground water is threatened with contamination as a result of the improper use of agricultural chemicals by farmers.

The grass was introduced in the 1960s to control soil erosion, but it has spread over vast tracts of land and is now a major factor contributing to soil erosion. The fire adapted Lemon grass itself poses a threat while the agricultural practise of setting the grass alight increases its threat. This practice destroys peripheral vegetation and prepares the site for seed germination therefore expanding and out-competing the natural vegetation. When the grass is burnt it forms clumps and leaves a significant amount of bare soil exposed to wind and water damage. This cycle causes the watershed to be further degraded and ultimately results in a decline in the quality of life.

The Body Ponds Rehabilitation Project aims are:
o Survival of remaining biodiversity and increase biodiversity
o Control fires and control and remove the Lemon Grass
o Reforest the watershed with native and indigenous species
o Promote sustainable farming practices
o Increase water attraction and retention
o Reduce erosion and runoff
o Increase potential as a tourist amenity
o Improve the management of this watershed and other watersheds in Antigua and Barbuda

This demo project will provide a tangible example of how long term benefits are accrued by a shift towards the integrated management of watershed resources. This along with properly planned watershed development will ultimately result in positive trade-offs in comparison to the present situation. This project will serve as a model for the management and development of similar watersheds/hydrological units elsewhere on Antigua and in other small island developing states in the Caribbean.