Phase 1 of the national tree planting beautification programme has kicked off in Dominica. The project is spear-headed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Resilience and Urban Renewal. At least 1,000 trees have been earmarked for planting in major places across the country. Minister for Environment, Joseph Isaac, said families and local communities can expand on the programme to ensure that up to one million trees are planted.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry of environment, Careen Prevost, said the tree-planting exercise will be carried out along major highways and communities where their beauty will be appreciated. She said the planting will commence from Douglas Charles Airport to Belle Hall and from Pointe Mitchel to Soufriere. The planting will extend to other parts during Phase Two.
Prevost further stated that the effort will support the existing initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism and the communities to make the place beautiful to visitors who are coming into the country through the airport. With the recent opening of Jungle Bay hotel, the road leading to the island resort will be beautiful and lend more value to the hotel.
Joseph Isaac said only strong and resilient trees which can weather all seasons are being planted. He added the trees will beautify the place and improve the aesthetics of the environment.
“For many years when we grew up we see flamboyant trees along the coast,” Isaac said, “because our grandfathers actually planted trees to develop this kind of initiative in the country. So the question is: what are we doing? “
“So I am saying today that it is our turn. Whether we are in high school, whether we are in state college, whether we’re working in private sector, it is really our island,” he said. “So we have to do what we have to do to ensure that where we are, we are feeling happy and living happy because we are in a clean environment, and we are in an environment in which anybody will say that we are a people with pride.”
Images from: Dominica’s Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division
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