Mountain protection, a priority in Holguín
- Written by Amarilis Rodríguez Gonzáles
- Published in Holguin
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A model for the protection and management of the natural resources of the mountains of eastern Cuba was presented in the city of Holguín, regarding the activities for International Mountain Day, which is celebrated every year on December 11.
The strategy includes the municipalities of Moa, Mayarí, Frank País, Sagua de Tánamo and Cueto, belonging to the Turquino Plan and recognized by a wide variety of endemic species of flora and fauna, including Euphorbia podocarpifolia or Holguín flower and Polymita sulphurosa.
Carlos Peña, a specialist at the Center for Environmental Research and Services, expalined that the model includes the reforestation of areas near the river basins, the protection of biological wealth and the strengthening of environmental education in the community.
He added that the program also includes the improvement of housing, telecommunications, waste collection and the increase of employment sources in the 107 population settlements located in the geographical area.
The specialist defined reforestation as one of the most important parameters using the Cuban pine (Pinus cubensis), a native variety of Cuba, which would also contribute to reducing the populations of casuarina, leucaena and marabú, exotic and invasive species of flora.
This model is one of the results of the Connecting Landscapes project, which studies mountains as a whole in which environmental, economic and social factors intervene and has among its objectives the preservation of ecosystems, he said.
International Mountain Day was established by the United Nations Organization since 2003, with the objective of raising awareness among the world population about the importance of these areas and their conservation.
Cuba develops several programs focused on this purpose, including the environmental education of the communities through audiovisual materials, lectures and conferences, among other activities.