The Grove/Diamond, Central and West Ruimveldt Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) recently engaged in a voluntary mangrove planting exercise along the seashore at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, who was on site to witness the exercise, underscored the importance of mangroves in protecting the Guyana’s coastlands. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Persaud noted that government has spent huge sums to maintain sea defences which would not have been necessary had there been adequate mangrove protection.
“It is very important for us to maintain this type of infrastructure and that is why the Government has decided for us to restore mangroves and at the Ministry of Agriculture, we are taking a lead role in assisting the Public Works Ministry which has direct responsibilities for sea defences,” he said. So far, the ministry, through the Mangrove Action Committee has employed 24 rangers to monitor the plants, however; residents’ support is also critical. Persaud also urged the public to volunteer to plant the mangroves as the exercise is costly.
“This is also International Year of Forestry and we are putting a lot of emphasis on mangrove restoration and ensuring that persons adhere to the country’s LCDS, which sets out a new development path for Guyana, through deploying the forest to mitigate global climate change,” the minister said. According to GINA, the replanting exercise was organised by Chairman of the Grove/Diamond PYO Chattergoon Jadoopat.
