Ecobreves – CUBA: New Trees for Havana

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Oct 4 2004 (IPS) - ''My Green Plan'' has slated for this year the planting of 2.5 million trees of 52 species in the Cuban capital, part of ongoing efforts to re-establish vegetation in this city of 2.3 million people The project involves several state agencies, schools and health centers, and also any resident who wants to help plant trees in the playgrounds or recreational parks near their homes.

Experts consulted by Tierramérica said that 75 percent of the trees in central Havana need to be replaced because they are older and now pose a danger because they could fall.

Hurricane Charley, which passed through Cuba in August, uprooted or damaged more than 37,000 trees in the capital, most of which were diseased, hollowed and old, and needed to be replaced anyway.