IN EFFORTS to restore an environmentally friendly surrounding in Durey Lane Campbellville, members of the St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic Church yesterday collaborated with the “Pick it up Guyana” team and commenced work in the vicinity.

Priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Georgetown, Godfrey Veerasammy, explained that the initiative was launched to restore an environmentally friendly surrounding to an area described as an established dumpsite. He said that not only members of the church, but the entire neighbouring community would benefit from the initiative. He added that, after the “clean-up campaign”, members of the church would seek to enhance the area by planting attractive flower trees there. Thereafter, the group would seek expansion by recruiting more people to get actively involved.

The final step of the process will be to acquire and install street lights in the area to act as a protective mechanism against those who dump garbage.

Members of the St. Teresa church, bemoaning the current state of the environment, reiterated the need for support from residents. “One can only conclude that there are some persons who ignore basic principles of care for their environment and the health of the residents who live in the vicinity,” one church member declared.
Members of the “Pick it up Guyana” team who worked along with church members expressed their pleasure to be a part of such a worthy cause.
The “Pick it up” campaign, launched in 2012 by Minister Robert Persaud of the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry, is aimed at increasing public awareness and enforcement activities by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in solid waste management. The group works along with religious, community and non-governmental groups to assist in preserving a healthier environment.

An environmental officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, and a team member of the “Pick it up Guyana” group, explained that the initiative is funded entirely by the Government of Guyana, with the support of volunteers. She noted that the intense ongoing campaign against littering will positively impact the country, as fines are increasingly heavy if perpetrators are caught, and the collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Police Force, environmental specialists, and other local bodies has been a major support in combating improper waste disposal.

As the campaign continues, the group will seek to expand coverage through the media, and inculcate the use of posters and flyers in public as well as private entities. A hotline number which has been blaring with complaints has been installed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to address concerns of this nature.
To volunteer for this cause of a cleaner and healthier country, one can contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, or the Environmental Protection Agency.
By Ravin Singh