Students of Guyana School of Agriculture on the Essequibo Coast in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture conducted an experimental planting of mangrove trees yesterday on the beach at La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast.
The experiment was planned to coincide with the observance of World Environment Day.
About 20 students from GSA were involved in the activity which saw ten acres of mangrove plants planted on the La Belle Alliance beach. If the experiment is proven successful, Project Coordinator for the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP) Bissessar Chintamanie said, planting will continue in the Lima district.
Mangrove trees contribute significantly to sea defence by protecting the coastal banks and breaking the force of the wave action. The versatile tree also provides juvenile nesting for shrimp and can increase catches of fish. Mangrove trees are also natural habitat for birds.
According to a release from the GRMP, mangroves have been replaced by artificial sea defences over the last decade.
However, with mangrove conservation and rehabilitation now being a priority of the government, the Mangrove Restoration Project is being implemented.
The overall objective of the project is to abate climate change (carbon sequestration through reforestation and forest preservation) and to mitigate its effects (sea defence, biodiversity).
The project is managed by the Mangrove Action Committee within the Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptation Unit of the National Agricultural Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture.
A workshop on Mangrove Restoration was held months ago in Region Two at Anna Regina Town Hall to educate community members about the purpose and conservation of the mangrove plant.
That workshop attracted several persons throughout the region and community members unanimously promised to do whatever they have to do to maintain the trees, since they are the ones who will benefit. They see it as a means of safeguarding their future. Plants were gathered by community members and nourished until they were strong enough to be handed over to the students of GSA in Essequibo to be planted along the shoreline.
