Puerto Rico launches reforestation project
February 18th, 2010 - 12:04 pm ICT by IANSSan Juan, Feb 18 (IANS/EFE) Puerto Rico will plant millions of trees over the next three years as part of its island-wide reforestation project.
The Plataforma Verde (Green Platform) initiative was unveiled by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) Wednesday.
DRNA secretary Daniel Galan said an investment of over $10 million would be required for the project.
He said 300,000 trees would be planted this year.
The official added the initiative would be supplemented by a separate project sponsored by Puerto Rico’s Inter-American University that will plant one million trees across the Caribbean island.
“Sixty percent of Puerto Rico’s territory (US commonwealth) has a good degree of forest coverage and the new measure is an effort to improve the current situation,” the secretary noted.
The plan places special importance on the island’s hydrographic basins and wetlands that act as a natural buffer against pollution.
Trees reduce wind velocity, regulate temperature, mitigate heat build-up with the shade they provide and filter rainwater, which in turn reduces soil erosion.
They also absorb greenhouse gases and help reduce global warming. DNRA said each tree supplies daily oxygen requirements of five people.
–IANS/EFE
snb/jg
- Puerto Rico to have Caribbean's largest solar project - Oct 07, 2011
- Ricky Martin to set up kids's centres across Latin America - Jun 05, 2011
- Roberto Duran bio-pic to begin filming in June - Apr 03, 2012
- Ricky Martin to promote Puerto Rico tourism on world tour - Mar 15, 2011
- Radio programme in Puerto Rico will only report good news - Apr 26, 2012
- Ricky Martin wraps up world tour - Nov 14, 2011
- Crime statistics won't be fudged: Puerto Rico top cop - May 17, 2012
- Enrique Iglesias's new album goes double platinum - Feb 09, 2011
- Puerto Rican inmates sew `HeelCondoms' - May 23, 2012
- Masked robbers strike at Puerto Rico casino - Sep 17, 2011
- Wisin, Yandel hope for P.Diddy collaboration on new disc - Aug 17, 2011
- Puerto Rican bomba a hit across US - Mar 21, 2012
- Puerto Rican rappers sing on social ills - Jul 03, 2011
- Rapper releases new music video - Mar 01, 2012
- Two dead in shooting at Puerto Rico concert - Feb 28, 2011
Tags: 10 million, basins, caribbean island, drna, efe, environmental resources, forest coverage, galan, global warming, greenhouse gases, hydrographic, inter american university, one million, oxygen requirements, rainwater, reforestation project, snb, soil erosion, wetlands, wind velocity