– over 29,000 mangrove seedlings to be planted
THE Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP) continues to engage communities in the restoration of mangroves since they play a critical role in protecting vulnerable coastlines from erosion and serve as a habitat for the ecosystem. With support from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Mangrove Action Committee and residents of neighbouring communities, over 2,800 black mangrove seedlings were sowed at Victoria’s foreshore.
The planting exercise commenced last Monday, with 20 persons, each planting 70 plants per day.
Monitoring Officer Jason Chacon declared that 0.6 hectares of land will be utilised for the project, and approximately 29,000 mangrove seedlings are expected to be planted in the area.
He noted that the Victoria/Belfield group is very dynamic, as its members have been exceptionally keen in protecting the mangroves.
Chairperson, Mangrove Action Committee, Annette Arjoon-Martins, highlighted that since August 2010, the GMRP has planted over 110,000 mangrove seedlings. Recently 15,000 were planted at Number Eight village.
Twenty members were involved in the planting exercise, and Arjoon-Martins commended the involvement of the women in the restoration projects.
The Victoria/Belfield mangrove site in a week’s time will be declared the first ever mangrove forest in Guyana.
She noted that the residents of Victoria /Belfield have been very active since November 2010 in restoration of the mangroves and because of the healthy mangrove forest that the community is gifted with, the residents had asked for it to be made a mangrove reserve.
“The mangrove area is being managed and protected by the residents. Last week they developed the rules and regulations and an active mangrove ranger and tour guides are doing a great job protecting the area”.
She is appealing to persons who visit the beach not to dump their garbage in the area since the others are doing a fantastic job in keeping it clean.
With an array of lush biodiversity located in the area, and home to four different species of mangroves, including Buttonwood, Red, White and Black mangroves, the community is already a tourist destination for many nature lovers and will receive a further boost with the addition of the mangrove reserve.
In addition to the mangrove restoration project, the 150- year- old colonial building situated at Cove and John is expected to be commissioned as the Mangrove Visiting Centre shortly.
Sharon Adams, resident of Victoria and supplier of 6000 mangrove seedlings, said she is proud to be part of the historical movement in the conservation of the mangroves. She noted that being part of the project has enlightened her on the significance of mangroves.
She said that despite the hard work, there were enjoyable times in putting together the mangrove seeds that were collected from the Haslington seashore.
Patricia Sam, resident of Ann’s Grove, expressed gratitude to the Agriculture Ministry and the GMRP for allowing her the opportunity to be part of such a landmark event.
The government has been working assiduously to ensure the sustainable management of the mangroves.
The overall objective of the Mangrove Restoration Programme is to respond to climate change and to mitigate its effects through the protection, rehabilitation and wise use of Guyana’s mangrove ecosystems, through processes that maintain the protective function, values and biodiversity of mangrove forests, while at the same time meeting the socio-economic development and environmental protection needs in estuarine and coastal areas.(GINA)