CATEGORY:SPECIAL EVENT --------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA THURSDAY April 26,2007 ST.GEORGE'S, Grenada: On Tuesday, April 24 2007, The Parliamentary Opposition hosted a second meeting of interested organizations and persons to discuss the recent amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act. Cap 206., which allows the Governor General to declare for the purposes of conveyance, possession, use or access or both, any area declared to be a National Park or a protected area; an amendment which threatens the survival of the Grenada Dove as well as our Grenadian heritage. The meetings were meetings were attended by Grenada National Organisation of Women, the Willie Redhead Foundation, Agency for Rural Transformation, Friends of the Earth, RARE, GRENSAVE, Chamber of Industry and Commerce, TUC, The Grenada Baptist Church, the Grenada Bar Association and concerned individuals. At the meetings, a number of decisions were taken among them, a call on all concerned citizens to participate in the Trades Union Council’s May Day March and Rally in St. Andrew, which will address the issue. There will be a special section for persons wanting to demonstrate their opposition to the amendment. Participants will gather at Progress Park at 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday, May 01, and march to Victoria Park, where the rally will be held. All concerned individuals and organisations are also asked to speak with their Member of Parliament asking them to explain the true reason for the amendment, considering that in the case of Mt. Hartman, the amendment is not necessary for the proposed hotel project but it allows the transfer of ownership of the Bird Sanctuary which is claimed, will remain a sanctuary. If that is true, then why is there a need to transfer ownership of our land? Ask your representative to assist in repealing the amendment. Considering that the amendment allows the Governor General to transfer possession of any area declared to be a National Park or a protected area, and that it is not limited to any one area, but to ANY and ALL National Parks and Protected Areas including the Grand Etang Lake and National Park, Fort George, Fort Frederick, Fort Matthew and ALL other national parks and protected areas, all patriotic Grenadians and friends of Grenada, are invited to sign a petition which will be circulated, calling on the government to repeal the amendment now. All churches and other religious bodies, service clubs, schools and other organizations are asked to increase their awareness of this issue which has grave implications for the future of our small and vulnerable nation. The media is commended for their interest thus far and are encouraged to keep informing the nation and the world of this serious matter. A steering committee has been established to disseminate information on the issue and resource persons are available to speak with groups and organizations who would like to know more. This committee can be contacted via e-mail at protectourheritage@gmail.com or through Vincent Roberts at 440 5481 or 409 9604. We need to work together to stop the transfer of ownership of our national parks and protected areas! Thank you for caring! We need to Save our Land and Protect our Heritage now!