HAITI “Protecting the Environment Hinges on Education”, says the President of Haiti Port Au Prince (UNESCO MEDIA SERVICES) –“The protection of the environment hinges on education”: This is the clear message that President of Haiti, Michel Martelly, wished to convey during the visit of the country’s first biosphere reserve with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General, Irina Bokova, accompanied by the Right Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti, and the Haitian Minister of the Environment, on 17 September 2013. Located at more than 1,800 meters above sea level, accessible only by steep rocky slopes, La Visite National Park, at the heart of the biosphere reserve of the south-east of the country, is home to rich biodiversity, many endemic species and highly diverse ecosystems. The challenges of preservation are immense – including fighting against deforestation and erosion, protecting the cultures and habitats in protected areas and ensuring the harmonious development of human activities and the environment. The delegation was greeted by the Seguin Foundation, which has been working for almost 10 years for sustainable management of the Park through activities to protect natural resources and improve knowledge and appreciation of the environment with the participation of local communities. The Haitian President, UNESCO Director-General and the Special Envoy visited a nursery growing thousands of seedlings that will be planted for the reforestation of parcels of land with endemic species and fruit trees adapted to the conditions at high altitude. They engaged with forest rangers and local stakeholders before going on a short hike through the pine forest. Ms. Bokova commended the President’s commitment, affirming UNESCO’s readiness to accompany the authorities in their ambitions to reconcile biodiversity conservation with improving the life of inhabitants, through training, education, and increased international cooperation. The National Park in the Massif de La Selle was officially declared a Biosphere Reserve in Haiti on 20 February 2013 at Port-au-Prince. It is the country’s first UNESCO biosphere reserve, inscribed on the list after eight years of advocacy and showcasing by the Haitian authorities, and for which the Ministry of Environment is the administrative authority.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 15:19:46 +0000
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