THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE GLEANER of Friday, May 31, 2002 in editorialising on the events of the inclement weather struck the nail right on the head.
Firstly, land is the solid substance of the earth's surface, is possessed with its appurtenances, such as trees, water and buildings.
These are the main forces upon the land that the inhabitants need to place under stricter control measures to minimise damage from natural disaster.
Ten days of almost continuous heavy rains cause
widespread devastation which is bound to disrupt the country's economy, but from it, several lessons emerged.
I believe that there should be a law to enforce that trees should only be grown at places where they are required, to control water in the course provided and free of obstacles by any malpractices, to control watershed areas and to restrict the construction of all buildings on sites not approved and not in conformity with the building codes.
All high-risk communities that are susceptible to flooding should be relocated and the areas declared non-habitable.
The editorial rightly pointed out that the time has come to take a closer look at land utilisation policies and to develop and employ strategies, which work in harmony with, instead of against the forces of nature. Man is forever the loser in any such contest.
I am, etc.,
E.N. PERKINS
P.O Box 415
Mandeville
