Coastline being further strengthened
-focus on mangroves
Guyana Chronicle, 24 September 2007
THE administration’s programme to ensure continuous improvement of
Guyana’s sea defence is currently focused on maintenance and re-growth
of the country’s first line of protection from the sea, mangroves.
Over the past decade, government invested approximately $15B to
strengthen Guyana’s coastal shore. As a result, 30 of the 40 kilometres
of sea defence that were identified as critical in the 1990s have
already been addressed while emphasis is being placed on improvement in
other areas with the implementation of various programmes.
At present, efforts are being made to maintain existing mangroves and
explore their re-growth in areas where there has been destruction over
the years.
Mangroves play a critical role in helping to protect the coastal shore
from the sea and can serve as greater defence against sea level rise,
another situation facing Guyana as a result of the climate change
phenomenon.
&If you have a mangrove fringe of at least 200 metres, you only need to
construct an earthen embankment behind that, as a sea defence, together
with the mangrove because the roots of the mangroves dissipate the wave
energy and help to retain the clay,” Chief River and Sea Defence
Officer, Mr. George Howard explained.
Destruction of mangroves in various areas especially by humans has
resulted in expenditure of billions of dollars to re-establish a firm
defence by constructing either concrete or rock armour ‘rip rap.’
Under the Ninth European Union Development Fund (EDF), there is a
component that targets mangrove preservation and re-growth.
However, Government has recognised the importance of these activities
and has developed a special programme to be undertaken in advance of
the Ninth EDF utilising local resources.
The programme was recently finalised and will be implemented by the Sea
Defence Unit of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications in
collaboration with the University of Guyana and the Guyana Forestry
Commission (GFC).
Under the Eighth EDF, focus was placed on improvements in mainly
Regions Two and Three through which more than $3B is being invested in
the construction of several metres of ‘rip-rap’ structures at areas
such as Capoey/Columbia and Met-en-Meerzorg/Cornelia Ida. Regions Four
and Five are targeted for attention under the Ninth EDF.
Government’s annual allocation for sea defence improvement during last
year resulted in a substantial amount of work being done at Leguan and
Wakenaam while work at Line Path, Skeldon continued into 2007.
Major upgrading will be done at Devonshire Castle and Maria’s
Lodge/Suddie in Region Two, along the West Coast Demerara in Region
Three and at Profit in Region Five.
Approximately $750M was allocated for 2007 while an additional $39M is
available for maintenance. (GINA)
-focus on mangroves
Guyana Chronicle, 24 September 2007
THE administration’s programme to ensure continuous improvement of
Guyana’s sea defence is currently focused on maintenance and re-growth
of the country’s first line of protection from the sea, mangroves.
Over the past decade, government invested approximately $15B to
strengthen Guyana’s coastal shore. As a result, 30 of the 40 kilometres
of sea defence that were identified as critical in the 1990s have
already been addressed while emphasis is being placed on improvement in
other areas with the implementation of various programmes.
At present, efforts are being made to maintain existing mangroves and
explore their re-growth in areas where there has been destruction over
the years.
Mangroves play a critical role in helping to protect the coastal shore
from the sea and can serve as greater defence against sea level rise,
another situation facing Guyana as a result of the climate change
phenomenon.
&If you have a mangrove fringe of at least 200 metres, you only need to
construct an earthen embankment behind that, as a sea defence, together
with the mangrove because the roots of the mangroves dissipate the wave
energy and help to retain the clay,” Chief River and Sea Defence
Officer, Mr. George Howard explained.
Destruction of mangroves in various areas especially by humans has
resulted in expenditure of billions of dollars to re-establish a firm
defence by constructing either concrete or rock armour ‘rip rap.’
Under the Ninth European Union Development Fund (EDF), there is a
component that targets mangrove preservation and re-growth.
However, Government has recognised the importance of these activities
and has developed a special programme to be undertaken in advance of
the Ninth EDF utilising local resources.
The programme was recently finalised and will be implemented by the Sea
Defence Unit of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications in
collaboration with the University of Guyana and the Guyana Forestry
Commission (GFC).
Under the Eighth EDF, focus was placed on improvements in mainly
Regions Two and Three through which more than $3B is being invested in
the construction of several metres of ‘rip-rap’ structures at areas
such as Capoey/Columbia and Met-en-Meerzorg/Cornelia Ida. Regions Four
and Five are targeted for attention under the Ninth EDF.
Government’s annual allocation for sea defence improvement during last
year resulted in a substantial amount of work being done at Leguan and
Wakenaam while work at Line Path, Skeldon continued into 2007.
Major upgrading will be done at Devonshire Castle and Maria’s
Lodge/Suddie in Region Two, along the West Coast Demerara in Region
Three and at Profit in Region Five.
Approximately $750M was allocated for 2007 while an additional $39M is
available for maintenance. (GINA)
No comments:
Post a Comment