Even without partners, Mangrove Restoration Programme will continue - Ramsammy

Even without partners, Mangrove Restoration Programme will continue – Ramsammy

Sep 26, 2013 News

Agriculture Minister Leslie Ramsammy has vowed that even without the financial input of partners, the Mangrove Restoration Programme will go on, stressing that it is a Government of Guyana initiative.
The Minister acknowledged the tremendous budgetary support from the European Union (EU), adding that he is hopeful for other partners as well.

The rubble mound groyne at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara

While conducting a media tour along the sea walls to the various mangroves sites along the East Coast of Demerara, Ramsammy noted that Guyana is a perfect example that the planting and maintenance of mangroves is the solution to the problem of Global Warming.
In addition to the actual planting of the mangroves, Ramsammy toured some “innovative initiatives” which were also implemented in an effort to protect coastal Guyana from the sea.
They include a geotextile breaker at Victoria, brushwood dam at Buxton, and the rubble mound groyne at Mon Repos.
The maintenance of these innovations are being handled by the Costal Engineering department of the Ministry’s ‘Restoring Guyana’s Costal Mangrove Ecosystem project.’
Minister Ramsammy explained that while works on the geotextile breaker was completed in 2012, the Buxton brushwood dam and rubble mound groyne are at 90% and 35% completion respectively.
Expected to reduce wave energy and encourage sedimentation on the shoreline, the geotextile breaker is approximately 100m in length.
“These structures were built to boost and extend mangrove growth, since the latter plays an important part in the country’s sea defence,” Ramsammy said.
Meanwhile, the 65m long rubble mound groyne is designed to reduce long shore drift in the vicinity of the Mon Repos/Good Hope sluice, while also encouraging sedimentation on the shoreline and protecting the mangroves on its eastern side.
Comprising of four ‘T’ shaped brushwood dams made from bamboo, the brushwood Dam at Buxton is 493m long, and is designed to trap mud within the brushwood sections.
This would in turn raise the foreshore and increase the density of the mud, while improving conditions for natural regeneration, Ramsammy explained. The scheduled completion date for this is next month.
In wrapping up the tour, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work, emphasizing that mangrove restoration in Guyana is a ‘programme’ and not a project which may come to an end.
The Minister revealed also that an analysis will be done and the most effective innovation will be implemented countrywide.
Referring specifically to the planting of the mangroves, Ramsammy said that there has been a 90% survival rate so far. It was also explained that when the “regular” Black Mangroves are planted, White Mangroves would routinely sprout.
The restoration programme is being executed in 14 locations across the country. These include sites in No. #6 -8 Villages; Wellington Park, Kilmarnock, Lima, Mon Repos, Triumph. La Bonne Intention, Chateau Margot, Success, Le Ressouvenir, Felicity, Section C Enterprise, Victoria,Belfield, Hope Beach, and Greenfield.