In order to raise public awareness about the impact of human activity on the seas and oceans, the Ministry of the Environment is dedicating its stand at the XXV International Book Fair 2023 to the preservation of coastal and marine ecosystems.
The Ministry of the Environment emphasized that Dominican society must continue to build a culture of protection of its coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves and coral reefs.
At the same time, he stressed the need to strengthen citizen awareness of the impact of the daily activities of human beings and their consumption habits.
“We are part of an island and, at the same time, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, so we must, in addition, keep in mind that preserving our coasts and our ocean environment, provides sustainability to tourism, one of the key economic activities,” said the Vice Minister of Coastal and Marine, José Ramón Reyes.
He recalled that mangroves operate as a natural protective barrier to protect the coasts against atmospheric phenomena.
“When winds and high tides come, the mangroves with their roots help to diminish the force of these, they are also the habitat of a large number of fish, crabs, birds and other animals that are part of our biodiversity and provide sustenance to families,” he said.
In addition to Reyes, Daryelin Torres, head of the Environmental Education Department, was present at the opening of the Environment stand.
The Environment stand is located in the Marine Giants Hall of the National Museum of Natural History. The space sets the scene of the flora and fauna of a marine ecosystem with reused plastic materials. Created by the artist specialized in recycling works, Caridad Javier, as well as jellyfish created by the collaborator of the ministry, Juan Carlos Azcona.
The stand at the Fair
Visitors to the fair will be able to see the skeletons of the humpback whale, the sei whale and the Tamaury manatee. That lived for many years in the Aquarium.
In the place you can appreciate the podiums provided by Grupo Jaragua, Seacology. And a scale model of a structure for the growth of corals in a coral nursery of the Punta Cana Group Foundation.
Among the activities that will take place at the stand during the fair are talks. And talks by the Jaragua Group and the Dominican Youth Network for Biodiversity. In addition, children’s activities such as puppet shows, National Flower puzzles, environmental knowledge roulette, riddles and the piquito number game.
Other actions
As part of the actions developed by the ministry to safeguard the coasts are four coastal plant nurseries located in Hainamosa. Santo Domingo Este and Arroyo Barril, Samaná, where mangroves, beach grape, guayacán, aceituno, penda, poplar, mara and saona are produced.
These nurseries support the reforestation plan implemented by the institution in all the coastal provinces where mangrove restoration work has been carried out, such as La Altagracia. Samaná, Puerto Plata, Montecristi, El Seibo, Peravia, Azua, Barahona and San Cristóbal.
It also offers coastal reforestation services to all public and private institutions that request it.
Source: Cdn.com.do
