ON July 26, Guyana celebrated International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, realising a proclamation made by UNESCO that was adopted on November 6, 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO. It underlined the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem, providing by virtue of their existence, biomass and productivity substantial benefits to human beings, providing forestry, fishery goods and services as well as contributing to the protection of the coastline and being particularly relevant in terms of mitigation of the effects of climate change and food security for local communities.”

Indeed, the mangrove forest is a unique ecosystem that borders between land and sea. It performs the role of a buffer, breaking the velocity of waves that would have otherwise penetrated land or concrete infrastructure protecting the coastline. In addition, they protect coastal communities from storm surges and extreme weather events. Mangroves are considered to be among the most carbon-rich forests.
To this end, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is responsible for mangrove restoration and conservation in Guyana. This strategic decision has seen the restoration of this highly productive forest protecting our shoreline. They sustain the local fishing industry and support a rich biodiversity.

Given Guyana’s vulnerability to the potential impact of climate on the change coastal zone, mangroves are an important part of the country’s overall Climate Change mitigation and adaptation strategy. This is why the protection of mangrove ecosystems is critical.
As such, NAREI has been working with local communities and partner agencies to restore degraded coastal mangrove ecosystems. Since the inception of this initiative in 2010, NAREI has conducted restoration initiatives in 16 villages in Regions Two, Four, Five and Six. These restoration initiatives included seedlings plantations and the construction of coastal structures with extensive public awareness and education. They have resulted in the restoration of over 200 hectares of coastal mangroves.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, on Friday visited two mangrove restoration sites on the East Coast Demerara- Better Hope and Mon Repos. These two sites are among the success stories of natural restoration. In addition, at Mon Repos NAREI had built a groyne that is allowing the accretion of mud.
Whilst, acknowledging the impressive works done by the Mangroves Department, the Minister emphasised the need for synergy between the agencies (NAREI, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure) responsible for river and sea defence. He noted that the agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture need to collaborate to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources. For instance, NAREI could erect groynes close to the outfall channels near kokers owing to the build up of mud there.

This would reduce the cost attached to NDIA having to clear the outfall.
The ongoing mangrove restoration programme under the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), will contribute towards Guyana’s development as a Green State and achievement of international commitments including the Aichi Biodiversity targets and Sustainable Development Goals.
However, significant challenges remain.

Farmers continue to graze their livestock in the mangroves, destroying the young seedlings and restricting the forest from reaching its full potential. Communities dump their garbage in the mangroves, cut mangroves for housing construction, fishing poles and pens, and burnt-brick production.
Mangroves are a protected species and it is illegal to destroy this unique forest that supports human well-being.