National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) project coordinator Kene Moseley
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) under its Mangroves Restoration Project over the years has successfully restored over 500 hectares of mangroves – nature’s natural sea defenses.
This is according to NAREI project coordinator Kene Moseley who spoke with the Guyana Times on Friday at the Kingston Sea Wall Esplanade during the mangrove exhibition.
The initiative was held by the Environmental Management Consultants (EMC) in collaboration with NAREI in observance of World Mangrove Day 2024.
“We at NAREI are collaborating with EMC foundation with support from the Guyana Conservation Initiative to bring more awareness about the importance of mangroves given that we are a coastal population in terms of the coastal protection mangroves provide the biodiversity they support as well as the community lively hoods that are supported by mangroves” Moseley stated.
In this regard, the project coordinator noted NAREI, under its Mangrove Restoration Project has been working assiduously to restore this vital sea defense across the country.
“NAREI has been rolling out a number of innovative restoration interventions. Our current approach is what we call the Green Gray infrastructure approach where we have been investing in the construction of breakwaters to create a suitable mangrove environment and where possible that the environment is suitable, we have been working with local communities to plant nursery-grown seedlings.”
As such, the project coordinator revealed that these initiatives have significantly bolstered the mangrove population across the country by restoring hectares of these vital sea defenses.
” These initiatives so far have resulted in the restoration of over 500 hectares of mangroves that’s adding to the carbon storage capacity of mangroves in Guyana as well as increasing the areas to support biodiversity as well as increasing the areas that communities can take advantage of.”
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha in observance of International Mangrove Day 2024 stated “Guyana’s mangrove restoration efforts significantly contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By restoring over 500 hectares of mangroves, we support SDG 14, which focuses on the sustainable management of oceans and coasts. Our initiatives also align with SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). Mangrove conservation efforts help to combat climate change, support livelihoods, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of our coastal zones.”
Moreover, since the inception of the mangrove restoration programme in 2010, the Government of Guyana has invested over 1.9 billion Guyana dollars in enhancing the resilience of our coastal regions.
These efforts have led to the restoration of over 500 hectares of mangroves across more than 35 sites in regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This year alone, an additional 275 million dollars has been allocated for restoration projects in regions 2 and 5.
The exhibition saw support from various organisations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) among others.
World Mangrove Day 2024 was celebrated under the theme ‘Mangroves Matter: Safeguarding Our Coastal Guardians for Tomorrow.’
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