The St. Catherine Local Sustainable Development Project team today, Thursday, September 07, partnered with the Forestry Department, South Eastern region and trekked through the hills and mounts of Northern St. Catherine to conduct a reforestation exercise in the Jambos Pond area of Glengoffe.
According to the LSDP Secretariat, the Jambos Pond area was chosen because the area is a natural watershed for capturing rainfall. Over the years it was observed that the areas have lost a number of trees due to soil erosion and degradation and activities of hillside farmers, and so the aim of the exercise is to help replenish the hillside with plants which will attract rainfall and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Forestry Technician for St. Catherine Steven Williams confirmed that approximately (64) seedlings were brought for planting; four (4) species, namely: Spanish Elm, Cedar, Blue Mahoe and Jamaica Mahagony.
There to support the exercise which commenced from as early as 9:00 a.m. this morning was Roogae Kirlew, Councillor for the Mount Industry Division, representatives from Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Glengoffe Community Development Benevolent Society and staff members from the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation.
Councillor Kirlew said this project was conceptualized more than a year ago and it is ongoing.
The planting area was provided by former Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington.
The St. Catherine Municipal Corporation continues to support these and other worthwhile environmental approaches the LSDP Secretariat will be taking to land development.
