Dear Editor,
Regarding your news report (SN May 10) on “mangrove removal to be addressed” by company CEO, as well as Mr. Shamshun Mohamed’s advice to stop the development (May 11), I do not know Mr. Krishna (Kris) Persaud. I wish to applaud his acknowledgement of the inadvertent removal (destruction) of mangrove forestry as his company, Tri-Star, carries out construction on an oil and gas shore base on the Demerara River waterfront in Versailles area. There are many benefits of mangrove colonies and preservation. Mangroves are extremely important for a balanced eco-system in coastal areas. They protect the coast from flooding as a natural sea defense, their sturdy root systems protecting against violent storm surges and high waves. They slow erosion. They are great for protection to coastal development, especially the kind of project being built in the area. The shore base will receive some protection with the presence of mangrove. So they must not be seen as ‘humbug’ to development. Mangrove also serve as natural fish habitat, a source of fish (as well as crabs and shellfish) for local fishermen. They are economically sustainable. They also serve as carbon storage – they breathe in carbon and expunge oxygen. When leaves fall, they are buried under water storing carbon. That is good for the environment. Mangroves are the last barriers against climate change, combating global warming, and as such every effort must be made to conserve them. Mangrove encourage eco-tourism and therefore great for the economy. Environmentalists and eco-tourists visit countries with rich mangroves, bringing important dollars to their economies. Sustainable tourism offers a stimulus to preserve existing mangrove areas, with potential to generate income for local inhabitants. Mangroves are homes to birds for nesting and breeding; they attract bird watching tourists like me.
Mangroves have been disappearing country after country, including in Guyana as they are increasingly chopped for firewood and other uses. And now they are being removed to make way for oil industrialization. It is important that we preserve as much mangrove and natural habitat as possible in Guyana as the nation pursues development. The Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Bishop Juan Edghill, said at a press conference that cutting down the mangrove is necessary for industrial development. He said man-made sea defenses would replace mangrove to protect against flooding. Such projects would be very costly and not as effective as natural mangrove trees. I think there can be a balance between manmade development (shore base) and mangrove preservation. New mangrove can be planted in areas just outside of the shore base. The country must proceed with development and industrialists like Mr. Krishna Persaud should be encouraged to fund shore base development. But I don’t think we have to choose between protecting the environment and pursuing development. Industrialists should try to preserve as much of the coastal mangrove as possible. Otherwise, it would lead to disruption in fish catch of communities and pose a serious threat to livelihoods and communities on the coast. Mr. Krishna Persaud has promised that the issue or mangrove removal will be addressed. Government should take him up on the offer. Government should provide the necessary support and encouragement towards this objective. Perhaps, government can consider planting mangrove in nearby vicinity that would not affect the on shore base as well as other areas where mangrove is being depleted.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
