Govt spent $500M since 2020 to support mangrove restoration – Min Mustapha

– says mangroves play vital role in sea defence efforts

As part of this year’s activities to observe International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in collaboration with the Environmental Management Consultants (EMC) Foundation, hosted a mangrove odyssey to bring awareness of the importance of the plants.

The event took place along the seawall from Turkeyen to Ogle on Sunday and saw participation from several Government officials and members of the diplomatic community.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha while offering remarks said mangroves play an important role in preserving Guyana’s local ecosystem while acting as a natural sea defence.
“We are living in a region that is very vulnerable, the second most vulnerable in the world and we must be prepared. I’ve been having regular discussions with the EMC and I can assure you that there will be more activities like this to highlight the critical role mangroves play in preserving our eco-system as well as developing our natural sea defences,” he noted.
Mustapha also said that the Government has, over the last three years, expended hundreds of millions of dollars as part of Guyana’s efforts to regenerate mangroves along Guyana’s coast.
“Since I became Agriculture Minister, the Government has expended in excess of $500 million to support our mangrove restoration efforts. This shows the Government’s commitment to ensuring these systems are preserved. Although these efforts have a positive impact, we cannot do it alone. We need support from other organisations. I am pleased to see so many organisations onboard. I want to encourage others to come onboard so that we can have more activities like this and make a greater impact,” he added.
The day’s activities also included bird watching, games, and exhibitions aimed at highlighting the importance of mangroves.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller who was part of the event posted “I joined a beautiful World Mangrove Day walk. Mangroves are great for protecting our environment and also attract birds and other wildlife, so make super tourism products! Well done to the Ministry of Agriculture, NAREI, EMC Foundation and so many others who got up early this morning to celebrate Guyana’s important mangroves.”
Also in attendance were the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Ye?im Oruç, EMC’s Managing Director, Shyam Nokta, and other staff of the Agriculture Ministry.