REPUBLIC Bank (Guyana) Limited yesterday donated $232,000 towards the expansion and development of the Cactus Mound at the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown.

Administrative Manager of GTA, Mr. Ohene Koama collects the donation from Communication and Public Relations Officer of Republic Bank, Ms. Jonelle Dummett. Looking on at left is General Manager of National Parks Commission, Ms. Yolanda Vasconcellos and Republic Bank Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ms. Michelle Johnson at right.(Adrian Narine photo)

The project was initiated by Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, National Parks Commission (NPC) and the Horticultural Society of Guyana, during Tourism Awareness Month last November.

It was part of the GTA enhancement initiative to encourage citizens and businesses to join in the effort to beautify their surroundings.

About 18 different species of cactus were planted, among them from around the city and in the hinterland.

The cheque for the donation was handed over, at the Cactus Mound, to GTA Administrative Manager, Mr. Ohene Koama, by Communication and Public Relations Officer, Ms. Jonelle Dummett, in the presence of Republic Bank Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ms. Michelle Johnson and General Manager of NPC, Ms. Yolanda Vasconcellos.

Koama acknowledged the major contribution by Republic Bank and reminded that the cactus garden was commissioned as a new dimension to the Botanical Gardens, within the GTA enhancement undertaking.

“Today commemorates the first expansion project to which the initiative has given birth,” he stated.

Koama said there is presently no roof over the garden because the weather destroyed the plastic which was above.

But the plants have to be covered as the cacti cannot grow in a lot of rain so the necessary covering is to mitigate or reduce the amount of rainfall on them, he stated.

Koama said the objective now is to use durable plastic sheets and encourage the public to go there and plant more cacti and have a thriving cultivation.

Johnson reiterated that the bank is committed to community enhancing and partnering with entities to ensure that Guyana and Georgetown remain beautiful, as well.

She mentioned what the bank did to rehabilitate the Promenade Gardens over a five-year period and wished the coordinators the best while looking forward to the continuation of the latest venture.

Vasconcellos joined in thanking the bank and noted that the NPC, being responsible for the Botanical Gardens, has a commitment to the expansion and development of the gardens in showcasing the flora, particularly.

“But balanced with the biodiversity and the ecosystems and such a cactus garden allows us to do so, because it not only showcases our local cactus taken from most of the regions of our country, but, primarily, reflects the cactus of Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), which are all endemic to Guyana,” she observed.

In her view: “It also allows for the other ecosystems to co-exist within the gardens and it, therefore, allows us to expand on our environmental and education awareness programmes as well.”

Vasconcellos said NPC is looking for support from the other private sector companies in the expansion and environmental education awareness of the gardens.

Other sponsors include Caribbean Chemicals, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Conservation International (CI), Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM), Rainforest Tours and National Hardware but GTA is encouraging plant enthusiasts and others to donate cacti plants for extending the Cactus Mound and to the Botanical Gardens Nursery.