The Tribune

THE South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association will hold an official launching ceremony of the “South Andros Coastal Restoration and Coconut Project” on Thursday, April 10, at 10am at the Craft Centre in Motion Town, Long Bay Cays, South Andros.

This initiative is a “Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme UNDP-funded project for the Community”.

The project will be implemented over a 15-month period and is intended to address the issue of coastal erosion and land degradation of a 25,500 square feet coastal area in Long Bay Cays, South Andros, where harvesting of coconuts was once an economic contributor to the local community.

The project will restore this coastal site by the removal of all invasive species, such as the casuarina trees and replanting native coastal-friendly plant species, including coconut, to help stabilise the coastline and reestablish the coconut grove.

Resources from the restored area are expected to reinvigorate and enhance the local cottage industries of charcoal and agro-processing, resulting ultimately in sustainable livelihoods for community members. Picewell Forbes, the Bahamas Ambassador to CARICOM and MP for South Andros, is scheduled to attend and speak at the event. Other government officials and Members of Parliament are expected to be present.