The Mangrove Action Committee (MAC) yesterday unveiled a billboard on the Kitty Public Road which advocates the protection of mangroves, the first activity in the public awareness phase of the National Mangrove Management Action Plan 2010. And Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, among other stakeholders present, made it clear that the support and involvement of the private sector is most welcome.
This observation was made since mounting of the billboard was sponsored by the  Demerara Tobacco Company (Demtoco).
The site where the billboard is located is near one of three pilot sites earmarked for mangrove restoration efforts. At Kitty, the aim is to have mud banks stabilization via groynes to affect 300 meters of shore.
The other sites are Mon Repos, where the goal is planting and research for 300 meters of beach, and Ruimzeight, where the goal is to have breakwater protection of some 500 meters of newly regenerated mangrove fringe.
These three sites were reportedly selected as prime locations for successful development.
Persaud commended the work of the MAC and pointed out that maintenance of sea defences is an expensive undertaking in comparison with the benefits of a natural form of sea defence.
He said, “To manage, build and even maintain one kilometer of sea defence cost just about US$ 6.4M…this an enormous amount and is more than we spend annually to maintain the country’s drainage and irrigation system.”
He noted too that Guyana has close to 360 kilometers of sea defences and maintained that mangroves have been for years a cost effective way of protecting Guyana’s shorelines.
“We are working very closely with our partners, like the EU (European Union)…with the effects of climate change mangroves can be very vital,” Persaud said.
Earlier this year, the Agriculture Minister declared mangroves a protected species.
At present, under the Sea Defence Act of 1998, destruction of mangrove forests carries a fine of $12,000 and a sentence of 12 months imprisonment.
Also, the amended Forestry Act of 2010 also provides for penalties in the event of mangrove destruction.
Persaud is also calling for citizens across the country to support the National Mangrove Management Action Plan 2010.
“We want to see more people contributing to this effort…this is one way in which citizens can play their role in protecting our very vulnerable coast from the effects of climate change,” he said.
In an invited comment, Managing Director of Demtoco, Mr. Chandradat Chintamani, said some US$3,000 has been spent so far to support the MAC’s efforts.
He also pointed out that his company has been involved in supporting projects that seek to protect the environment.
According to him, Demtoco has, in the past, spent close to US$150,000 on such projects and in 2010, another $7,000 will be spent to support the National Mangrove Management Action Plan 2010.
“It does not end there. It is an ongoing funding project where we will invest annually into this project to ensure that it is sustained for the long term,” Chintamani pledged.
Progress
Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins, Chair of the MAC, in an invited comment, posited that the overall programme is seeing progress.
“We are moving,” she said.
Arjoon-Martins stated that for the public awareness phase, popular figures Dave Martins, Mr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and others are on board to advance the conservation message.
She noted too that the regional consultations have ended in Regions One (Barima/ Waini), Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).
Mr. Paul McAdam, Community Development Specialist with MAC, reported that the response from consultations was promising.
According to him, the majority of the older folks are aware of the importance of mangroves and he observed that the challenge is now to get the youth on board and aware.
Currently, meetings are being held with focal groups in different parts of the country to address the further advancement of efforts to protecting, managing and restoring mangrove forests.
Mangroves are essentially forests that are found on the seacoast and riverside that can grow in areas of high salinity and tidal flooding.
There are seven types of mangroves, but the more popular ones are the Red, Black and White mangroves.
The importance of mangroves, apart from sea defences, extends to other areas.
Mangroves serve to shield inland areas during storms; trap sediments and break down pollutants, serve as a source of food for fish, shrimp and crabs that live in rivers and shallow areas of the sea/ ocean; provide homes and nurseries for many animals, primarily fishes; and provides a safe haven for juvenile fish, shrimp and crab located on Guyana’s coastline.