– Continuing public awareness programme critical
UNIVERSITY College of London (UCL) Master of Science student, Ms. Katherine Robinson, on Friday, presented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with “positive” preliminary findings on the on-the-ground happenings of the $100M Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP).
“There is strong awareness of the project and the importance of mangroves to the sea defence…if I were to suggest something, it would be to sustain the strong public awareness that is ongoing,” she said.
Under the GMRP a Mangrove Action Committee (MAC) was established and this body is responsible for the execution of the National Mangrove Action Plan 2010.
Their objectives are: to promote sustainable management of mangrove forest; develop effective protection of mangrove ecosystem and rehabilitation; increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests; establish and complete a legal framework for mangrove ecosystem management; encourage community-based mangrove management; and establish the administrative capacity for the management of mangroves in Guyana.
Robinson explained that her research was focused on Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, where a site has been identified to be used in a pilot restoration project.
‘I have been interacting with many people to look at how important mangroves are to the local community…People are not using it excessively like they did in past years and alternatives are being looked at,” she said.
Relative to the specific alternatives, Robinson cited the problem of dumping garbage in the mangroves and said that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is taking steps to address that issue.
She added that the Ministry of Agriculture is also assisting to relocate ‘landless cattle farmers’ on alternative grazing pastures, rather than have the goats and sheep continue to graze at the foreshore, which is posing a challenge for mangrove restoration.
“The majority of people seem aware of the legal implications if they destroy mangroves,” she said.
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 provides for penalties in the event of mangrove destruction.
In general, Robinson said that people have been helpful and seem “very interested” in the mangrove project.
“I think I accomplished what I set out to do. I was supported by three UG (University of Guyana) students and NARI (National Agriculture Research Institute),” she said.
She said her final report, properly analysed, will be completed in late September this year.
Robinson’s Master of Science covers Anthropology, Environment and Development.
She pointed out that getting involved in field research came based on the need to assess exactly what is happening on the ground.
“I am in class and you hear all the theory, but at some point you have to be on the ground to really see and experience what is happening,” she said.
According to Robinson, initially her focus was directed towards the happenings at Shell Beach and the turtle conservation effort.
“I was in touch with Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins, the MAC Chair, and she told me about the mangrove project. I switched because this was more in the area that I wanted to look at,” she said.
Robinson lauded the efforts being advanced by Guyana, not only with the GMRP, but also with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Research Impact

In an invited comment, GMRP Coordinator, Mr. Bissasar Chintamanie, said that Robinson’s contribution to the project was significant.
“She contributed to the research component of the project and focused on reactions from the local community, perception to the project, and the use of the mangrove ecosystem…she made an impact,” he said.
When asked about the suggestion made by Robinson for sustained public awareness, he made it clear that the project’s public awareness component is a robust one.
“We want to maintain the momentum we built so far, and there are several community outreaches that have been done and others that are planned, especially in the areas where our pilot restoration project will be sited,” Chintamanie said.
He added that the approach to restore the mangrove will be Ecosystem Protection and Rehabilitation (EPR).
Following the EPR approach, he explained that step one will be to understand which mangrove species belong at a particular site, and what conditions they need to grow successfully.
After that, Chintamanie said the next moves will be to understand the existing conditions at the site and to figure out what is preventing the normal growth of the mangrove trees.
He said, “When we understand these things then we can amend the site condition so that they meet the needs of the mangroves, and we will only plant new mangroves if re-growth is not occurring.”
Looking to the future, Chintamanie pointed out that Regions One (Barima/ Waini), Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (West Demerara. Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) are identified as sites for mangrove restoration projects.
He concluded that additional technical assistance for research and development will be provided by the Guyana Forestry Commission.