MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on Wednesday, instructed the Mabaruma Town Council to stop the cutting down of the township’s historic rubber trees. This followed significant backlash from members of the public, who are against the decision taken by the town council. The trees are located along a section of the roadway called ‘Philbert Pierre Avenue’. The trees, are close to a 100 years old and are an important part of the region’s history as the roadway remains the only one in the country with such scenery.
Information reaching this publication indicated that the trees were slated to be cut down to facilitate the construction of a new road that would allow for two-way traffic.
On January 26, the town council circulated an advisory informing residents of a road closure in the Mabaruma compound area on Wednesday to facilitate the cutting of the trees. This release was met with significant opposition on social media. Over 3000 persons signed a petition to “save the rubber trees of Mabaruma.”
Minister Dharamlall, in a statement on his Facebook page, ordered the town council to stop the initiative. He highlighted that though this act was slated to commence on Wednesday, it was one that was formulated under the previous administration.

The initiative was conceptualized in 2019 to ensure the safety of the residents. It was reported that branches of the trees often fell on them as they traverse the area.
In addition to the tree-cutting exercise, the town council has plans to construct a two-way traffic roadway and needed access to the land the trees were on to complete that task.
The cutting of the trees was met with similar opposition in 2019 and was put on halt in November of that year.
“It was brought to my attention that the Mabaruma Town Council began cutting the rubber trees that are in the path of a road which was slated for construction since the last government. I was also informed that the consultation done under the last administration had agreement for the tress to be cut,” Minister Dharamlall said.
He informed that he had advised the Mayor and Regional Chair to undertake several actions beginning with halting the process of cutting the trees. Additionally, he instructed them to publish the results of the consultation that was done under the last government with the names of persons and bodies participating, and to discuss with the Ministry of Public Works the best engineering solution to have the road constructed with the trees remaining.