CASTRIES – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives, through the Iyanola Project, will conduct a baseline inventory of flora and fauna along the island’s Northeast coast.
The inventory will provide information on the status of the dry forests and animals in the region, which will help guide the development of management plans for the restoration and enhancement of forests and other lands in the area.
The activities will ensure a healthier natural environment and opportunities for increased sustainable livelihood activities in the surrounding communities.
The Department of Forestry will conduct the inventory from September to November, in the region extending from Cap Estate, Gros Islet to Mandele Point, Dennery; and includes the communities of Cas en Bas, Beausejour, Monchy and Desrammeaux in Gros Islet, Fond Assau, Garrand, Boguis, Marquis and Desbarras in Babonneau, Aux Lyons, Despinoze, Gadette, La Ressource, Lumiere, Fond d’Or and the Dennery village.
The Northeast coast is the last frontier rich in biodiversity, and contains many of the island’s endemic species including the Saint Lucia White Breasted Thrasher and the Saint Lucia Iguana, and is also the nesting site for Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtles.
This ecologically diverse area has suffered much degradation over the years due to deforestation and the indiscriminate disposal of garbage. (PR)
