Protected Areas Commission launches $600M national tree planting project

The Government of Guyana, through the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), today launched a $600M National Tree Planting Project.

The project will see a total of 50,000 trees being planted in urban areas, and it is aligned to the Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.

The tree planting project is intended to highlight Guyana’s commitment to combat Climate Change while showcasing the critical role that trees play in sustainable development.

Addressing a small gathering at the Conversation Tree Boulevard in Georgetown, Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the Protected Areas Commission, Robert Persaud, said it is Government’s intention to populate new and developing urban communities with trees.

“This is their idea in the new highways that we have, in the new development that is taking place, that we must also ensure that green spaces are fully utilized and that we promote a culture or we expand that culture that we have in Guyana, in respect for environment but more so for trees and the importance they play in our day to day lives,” Persaud said.

The multi-year project, which saw the first set of trees being planted along Conversation Tree Boulevard, will be rolled out across the country starting with Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10.

Persaud said the intention is not only to expand green spaces and the beautify the country, but to also help Guyanese better appreciate their environment.

“This exercise is done not only to preserve, enhance and expand our green spaces but also it is to bring the people of Guyana together and enhance their awareness in the need to protect their environment but more particularly to beat that culture of littering and beat that culture of not respecting the place in which we occupy. And so, there is a multifaceted objective here and very importantly though, it is to change the mindset of the Guyanese people in respect to our environment and our environs in which we operate,” Persaud explained.

Additionally, he said the project is reflective of the transformation that is taking place in the country.

Special Advisor to the PAC, Damian Fernandes, spoke of the important role that trees play in the lives of people. He said the National Tree Planting Project will create safe spaces where Guyanese can converse, and engage in healthy activities.

“Closer to me is the Gloden Flame Tree, this comes to s from the Botanical Garden, it was born in Guyana, its parents were born in Guyana, it is a Guyanese tree. It is used in art, there is a brown dye in its bark and it is used to dye fabrics and things like batik. It comes from places like Thailand and South East Asia. Behind it is the Acacia tree, there are some Acacia species in Guyana but this tree is actually used when no other tree can grow,” Fernandes explained.

The launch of the National Tree Planting Project coincided with the International Day of Forests which is being observed under theme “Forests and Food.”