Yesterday the Environment Division along with many of its partners cleaned the Cades Bay mangrove area in recognisance of World Wetlands Day.

In 1997 the RAMSAR Convention was signed which promotes the ‘wise use’ of wetlands. It is because of this convention that World Wetlands Day is celebrated every 2nd of February. This year’s theme is “Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change”.

Arica Hill, Environment Education Officer, felt that the day was a success. However, she is concerned that persons will feel free to litter the area again. “We do not want to give the impression that if persons dirty the area a group of us will come out and clean again. What we are trying to do is create a consciousness of ways that we can easily preserve the environment. If we have an unhealthy mangrove, we risk the chance of unhealthy communities since we depend on the mangroves for fisheries.”

The governmental and statutory bodies that were present were the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Central Board of Health, the Forestry Division, the Environment Division Nursery, and the Ministry of Tourism. The cleanup was also ably assisted by the Grande Pineapple Beach Resort Green Team and the Carlisle Bay Resort Green Team. Hill stated that without these groups the day would not have been a success.

Senior Environment Officer, Ruleta Camacho, also stated that the day was success. She further emphasised the importance of protecting the wetlands through proper solid waste disposal, so that they (the wetlands) can function effectively.