Saint Lucia Has A National Land Policy

“The Land, The People and The Light,” is the phrase meant to formally describe Saint Lucia’s general motivation. The significance of the Land to Saint Lucia and its people can be deduced by the fact that it is enshrined in the country’s MOTTO. Past and current patterns of land development however, point towards elements of un-sustainable land use and land development practices. If these approaches are continued, this crucial but limited resource may not be able to support future generations. This we should seek to prevent with all alacrity.
Issues pertaining to land, feature in almost all major national initiatives. These include; development of physical infrastructure, housing, tourism development, poverty reduction, agriculture, water supply, biodiversity preservation and employment generation. It is in recognition of the important role that land plays in the development of the country that Government has approved a National Land Policy. The aim of the policy is to guide the use, management, development and administration of land resources in Saint Lucia, in order to optimize the contribution of land to sustainable development, a concept which encapsulates economic prosperity, social development, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
The National Land Policy represents the outcome of a process, which began in 2000 with the establishment of a National Land Policy Committee and a number of sub-committees. The Policy is presented in a “user-friendly” format.

The policy logically builds on the notion of land as a development resource. This is done by addressing the desired policy framework, outlining a sound policy direction, identifying the necessary priority policy instruments and actions, and setting out approaches to policy implementation. In addressing the subject, the policy aims to be practical and feasible, politically and socially acceptable, and consistent with national sustainable development goals.
This policy sets the basis for confronting and decisively addressing the challenges posed by the phenomenon of land management in a small island state.
Now that the Land Policy has been adopted, priority should be given to the following:
o Information dissemination and creation of public awareness of the policy and its provisions.
o Institutional and legal reform processes.
o Design of a national program aimed at the formulation of national and local physical development and zoning plans.
o Development of a project aimed specifically at settling remaining land disputes whenever feasible.
o Integration of land management considerations into the review of taxation systems and procedures and the design of new institutional arrangements for revenue collection.
This document can be reviewed on the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Economic Planning, Investment and National Development’s website at www.climatechange.gov.lc or a copy can be obtained from the Sustainable Development and Environment Section of the aforementioned Ministry at the American Drywall Building Center, Vide Bouteille, Castries, Saint Lucia. Telephone 451 8746; Fax 758 453 0781; e-mail: sdestlucia@gmail.com.