Hon. Zane Lightbourne's 2026/2027 Budget Debate Contribution, Environment, Forestry, BNGIS & DEHS

Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Zane Lightbourne, delivers his contribution to the 2026/2027 Budget Debate, outlining the work, achievements, and future priorities of the Ministry and its four key departments: the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), the Forestry Unit, and the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems Centre (BNGIS).

During the presentation, Minister Lightbourne highlighted the connection between environmental protection and economic growth, emphasizing that protecting the Bahamas' natural resources supports tourism, public health, climate resilience, national development, and long-term prosperity.

Highlights Include:

✅ Growth of the Bahamian economy by 3.8% in 2025
✅ 12.5 million visitors welcomed to The Bahamas in 2025
✅ 4,536 twenty-yard bins of debris removed from New Providence communities
✅ 3,543 derelict vehicles removed during the year
✅ Eight transfer stations operating across New Providence
✅ 20 new fogging machines procured for Family Island mosquito control operations
✅ More than 1,300 food establishment inspections conducted
✅ More than 3,000 port health inspections completed
✅ Recruitment plans for 21 additional environmental health staff
✅ Establishment of the Environmental Administration Fund
✅ Nearly $400,000 collected through environmental permits and compliance initiatives
✅ $300 million Debt Conversion for Marine Conservation initiative highlighted
✅ $20 million Integrated Landscape Management Project supporting climate resilience and food security
✅ New forestry legislation advancing through stakeholder consultation
✅ Expansion of conservation, urban forestry, and wildfire management programs
✅ Development of a national geospatial mapping system through BNGIS
✅ Creation of a centralized national geoportal for government planning and decision-making

The Minister stressed that environmental stewardship is not separate from economic development but is essential to the continued success of tourism, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure planning, disaster preparedness, and national resilience. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize environmental management systems, strengthen enforcement, improve scientific capabilities, and support sustainable development throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Watch the full contribution and learn how environmental protection, public health, conservation, technology, and sustainable development are helping to build a stronger Bahamas for future generations.

Видео Hon. Zane Lightbourne's 2026/2027 Budget Debate Contribution, Environment, Forestry, BNGIS & DEHS канала Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources