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10 km of Mangroves to be replanted along coastline this year
After exceeding its first year’s target of restoring 1 kilometer (km) of mangroves, the
EU Ambassador to Guyana Robert Kopecky and Annette Arjoon-Martins, Chairperson of the Mangroves Action Committee inspect the Victoria mangrove reserves
Mangrove Restoration Project aims to replant or protect 10 kilometers of mangroves along the coastline this year.
Another aspect of this Government of Guyana- European Union funded project that is expected to materialize this year is the construction of physical infrastructure such as groyne, to break wave velocity.
This was revealed by Annette Arjoon-Martins, Chairperson of the Mangroves Action Committee during the Head of the European Delegation to Guyana, Robert Kopecky’s first visit to the Mangroves Visitors’ Centre, East Coast Demerara yesterday.
According to Arjoon-Martins, last year the four km of mangroves were replanted but only two km survived. For instance those planted in Belfield did not prosper. However, this was expected as it is a pilot project. Nonetheless, the research component of this restoration project would also allow researchers to ascertain answers to challenges encountered. Lecturers of the University of Guyana have submitted 13 proposals under this component.
She emphasized that some coastal areas that are without sea defence structures, either natural or man-made, are being threatened daily with increasing high waves. Some of these areas are densely populated and have viable farmlands. Mangroves are a cheaper way of protecting coastal communities since, one mile of seawall costs $900M and one mile of mangrove costs $100,000.
Whilst acting as a buffer, mangroves also help in alleviating the effects of climate change, since mangroves sequester 10 times more carbon than other plants. She emphasized that an inventory carried out by the Guyana Forestry Commission revealed that 22,600 hectares of mangrove forests exist along the coastline.
Arjoon-Martins noted that some human activities such as fires, felling of mangroves and dumping of garbage in waterways threaten the sustainability of the restoration project. However, the livelihood component of the project, which has been profitable, is expected to ensure the project’s sustainability.
She emphasized that the Mangroves Reserves Women’s Group produces agro-products under the Mangroves Reserves label. These products range from pepper sauce, green seasoning, honey and bees wax candles.
Ambassador Kopecky, who toured the Victoria mangroves forest, expressed his satisfaction with the result of the project.
He was pleased with the livelihood component and has pledged to utilize the Mangroves Reserves bees wax candle at all the evening events of the European Union.
Clearly ‘big on recycling’ and concerned about the amount of garbage in the City and in waterways, the Ambassador stressed that garbage could be recycled into valuable items. As an example, he displayed a haversack made of plastic that contains a solar panel to charge cellular phones.
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