By Utamu Belle
As a prelude to National Tree Day, which is observed on the first Saturday in October, President David Granger on Sunday led Lindeners in a tree-planting exercise along Burnham Drive, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The initiative was also hosted in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the People’s National Congress (PNC).
As such, palm and coconut trees were planted at key areas along Burnham Drive, Mackenzie. Speaking at the ceremony to mark the occasion, President Granger cited the significance of October 1, the date on which the exercise was hosted, noting that just last year the “cutting-edge” Department of the Environment was created on the same date.
The Head of State further pointed out that the event was a celebration of greenness as he reminded those present of Guyana’s important role in protecting the environment against the harmful use of mercury as well as the harmful effects of climate change. As such, President Granger urged all to join in the efforts of protecting Guyana’s forests and trees.
“We should celebrate greenness. Greenness is about the whole country and I call Guyana ‘the Green State’…Once we continue to cut down trees, we would be faced with the challenge of climate change and global warming…because the trees keep the earth cool,” the Head of State noted.
President Granger noted that trees were more profitable standing than cut down since Guyana was paid to keep its forests standing.
“We must make sure we replant the trees we cut down, so that we can regenerate…So this exercise is very important and I refer to Guyana as ‘the Green State’ because we need to protect our biodiversity and our wildlife…If you cut the trees down, you remove the habitat, you destroy the habitat.”
The President also stressed the need to protect the landscape in an effort to sustain life. He said planting trees was not only ornamental but a living could be made out of it, as he congratulated Lindeners for leading in the National Tree Day observance, further encouraging them to come out and have another Tree Day on Saturday.
“I’d like to ask that you pay attention to the previous speakers and care those plants, so that your children can come and not only shelter under them but also pick the fruits and they, learning from their parents and grandparents, can do the same for their children and grandchildren,” Granger said.
Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, in his remarks, said all should be reminded that as new life was sown into the future, it must also be nurtured, guarded, and guided to ensure that yields were indicative of values, as he urged Lindeners to protect the newly-planted seedlings.
“This tree-planting exercise, it is indicative of planting of new life, not only into our soil but into our next generation. It reminds us of the need to continue planting seeds and invest in our youths, so as to ensure the continuous regeneration of new life,” he said.
Regional Party Chairman Sandra Adams, who organised the event, in her remarks, said the party thought it best to begin the 60th anniversary celebration by using Burnham Drive as the symbol to commemorate founder leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, who the area is named after, who started the journey in 1957.
Also present at the exercise were PNC members including General Secretary Amna Ally, Chairman Basil Williams and Executive Members Jermaine Figueira and Valerie Adams Patterson-Yearwood among others.
