Forest Ranger Corps: Guardians of nature
- Written by Yanela Ruiz González
- Published in Holguin
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Dedicated to the protection of the environment and natural resources, the Cuban Forest Ranger Corps reached its 64th anniversary this April 10, an organization that in the province of Holguín achieved satisfactory results last year.
Belonging to the Ministry of the Interior, the Forest Ranger Corps emerged in 1959, when Law number 239 was approved, known as the "Plan for reforestation by the Rebel Army", whose main objective was to populate all of Cuba with trees, at the same time Agrarian Reform was carried out.
In order to fulfill its state mandate, through a group of tasks directed by the highest leadership of the country, the command of the province and the national body itself, the Forest Rangers today carry out actions aimed at protecting water, soil, flora, fauna and nature in a general.
Its main purpose is the recovery, conservation, promotion and use of these renewable natural resources of the country, from the protection of the mountains, the repopulation of forest soils and their organization as permanent sources of raw material and stable work, for the benefit of the economy and the progress of the nation.
The protection of natural resources includes the campaigns against forest fires carried out every year from January to May, as this is a complex stage due to the drought.
During this period, this year, the province of Holguín has had to deal with various fires that have put to the test the preparation the Forest Ranger Corps. Such is the case of the large-scale fire recently fought in Pinares de Mayarí, one of the most complex accidents of the stage.
Although several forces participated in its confrontation, members of the Forest Ranger Corps played a key role from the moment they were detected.
“When we compare this Campaign with the previous ones, including 2011, which was very strong, we realize that this has been higher in terms of the occurrence of fires and their impact on the ground. This is due to the fact that since October we have experienced an intense drought throughout the territory”, explained Lieutenant Colonel Juan Carlos Calderón Torres, Head of the agency in the province.
According to the specialist, the Holguín Ranger Corps in action with other agencies, institutions and bodies, have achieved greater control of the fires, and the forecasts for success are above 80 percent in areas that do not exceed five hectares.
"The challenges will always continue in the fulfillment of the state mandate of the Ranger Corps, which is strengthened by young forces, to continue advancing in the protection of our green lungs and their ecosystems," said Lieutenant Colonel Juan Carlos.
“Los retos van a continuar siempre en el cumplimiento del encargo estatal del Cuerpo de Guardabosques, que se fortalece y nutre con fuerzas jóvenes, para seguir avanzando en la protección de nuestros pulmones verdes y sus ecosistemas”, acotó el Teniente Coronel Juan Carlos.
