Fees for other national parks

THE eventual decision to charge fees for persons wishing to tour the protected National Park — San Fernando Hills — would be implemented at other similar parks. This according to San Fernando West MP Diane Seukeran, who spoke to Newsday on Thursday. Seukeran said the present situation with the famed landmark has necessitated a “review of all parks” in the country. The second and third stage of the rehabilitation of the Hills, she said, still had to be undertaken and includes the building of an amphitheatre. The MP said the paying of fees would help with funding and also enhance efforts of security at the Hills. Seukeran said she recently held talks with Public Utilities and Environment Minister Rennie Dumas who, she said, is looking into the matter.

Minister Dumas last week issued a statement which stated that the fees would not be put in place until a National Park Management Policy was developed and a decision taken in relation to collecting revenues for the Hill, was agreed on. Seukeran, who is also the Junior Trade Minister, said: “Whatever is done is done in the interest of the Hill and the city of San Fernando. A Cabinet decision would have been taken.” Seukeran went on to say, “We need to start looking carefully at our environment.” She said other parks such as Cleaver Woods, Hollis Dam and Palmiste Park were being studied by the authorities for future development.