The Tribune

A NEW project has been launched with the aim of helping to improve the South Andros community.

The South Andros Coastal Restoration and Coconut Project was launched on April 10 with an event at the South Andros Craft Centre in Long Bay Cays.

It was launched by the South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA), and receives funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“We are very happy to be here today,” said GEF national co-ordinator in the Bahamas Deon Stewart.

“It didn’t go without a lot of hard work on behalf of SAHMA and the community of South Andros and also on behalf of the committee that actually reviews and improves projects here (in the Bahamas).”

“The GEF Small Grants Programme likes to work with communities like the South Andros community to produce what we intend to show as – more or less – demonstration projects; but demonstration projects that add to improving the environment, the type of demonstration projects that add to the sustainable livelihood of a community.”

Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in the Bahamas, Mr Manuel Messina said that ever since his organisation came to South Andros, they saw the enthusiasm, determination and willingness to work together in the community.

“In many communities in the whole Bahamas, we go and we find many people who want to do things; but many people want to do things on their own and sometimes it’s hard to get the community to work together,” Mr Messina said. “I think that (unity) is the key and that is what I have seen so far here and I hope that continues.”

Also partnering in the initiative are the Bahamas National Trust, IICA, the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology South Andros High School, Ministry of Environment and Housing Forestry Department, South Andros Chamber of Commerce, South Andros Farmers Association, South Andros District Council of Local Government and Natures Hope for South Andros.

Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM and Member of Parliament for South Andros Picewell Forbes praised the work of all involved in the implementation of the project, especially because of what any community development means for the area.

“This coconut plant is a big effort for our community,” Mr Forbes said. “I want to encourage those who want to try and make our community a better one.”

South Andros District Administrator Stephanie Rahming said that she welcomes the opportunities that the project will bring to the community, especially “economic empowerment”.

“South Androsians, this is a community project,” Ms Rahming said. “I appeal to you, South Andros, let us take ownership of this project. We must buy into this project. This is for us as South Androsians and the benefits are wide and far-reaching.”

According to GEF in officially released information, the project is for the “Restoration of Native Coconut Habitat through Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and improved community livelihoods through the production of coconut craft and products.”

South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association public relations representative Edmund Rahming Sr said the project will be implemented over a 15-month period and is intended to address the issue of coastal erosion and land degradation of 25,500 square feet of a 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 and replanting native coastal-friendly plant species, including coconut, to help stabilise the coastline and re-establish the coconut grove,” he said.

“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.”

“The coal-making industry – by extension – is a very good thing for this community,” Mr Forbes said. “You have all the trees (the casuarinas) here.

“Every weekend, there are hundreds of grill-outs going on around Nassau and we are right next door to New Providence.”

GEF stated that the planning grant sought to identify the most appropriate type of coconut species – disease resilience and fastest growth rate – suitable for the Bahamas, as well as the identification of species which ensure that the coastal erosion does not continue after replanting of the coconut palm trees.

The process will identify appropriate manufacturing and management strategies to ensure sustainability after the project implementation phase, GEF added. Also, integrating the restoration/rehabilitation of the eroded coastal areas component into the overall project will direct greater focus on the land degradation component of the project. This integration will address the matter of erosion and how it has affected the coconut grove generally.

Further, the project seeks to address this in the areas being looked at for restoration and replanting of coconut trees.

Mr Stewart reiterated that the monies provided in the grant should be considered “seed monies”.

“We hope that from that seed or seed monies, great and larger things could grow that could be sustainable and help the community progress and move – as they say – from strength to strength.”

Mr Stewart added that although the process, from the writing of the grant request and beyond, did not go without a few challenges. He commended SAHMA and the community for not giving up.

“That is what impressed me the most,” Mr Stewart said. “Most persons would say, ‘Man, this it too hard and we don’t need to go on any further,’ but they continued. They persevered.”

“We are very happy to see the community in South Andros moving ahead and we would be simply willing to go along with you through all the steps that must be followed to better development in this part of the country,” Mr Messina said.

“I look to see this being a very successful project, with your involvement, support and participation,” Mr Stewart told the community.

“There is something in it for everybody to benefit,” district administrator Rahming said. “Everybody could benefit from this project. We all need to get on board. I see South Andros on the move.”

“I want to commend you all for your efforts here,” Mr Forbes said. “To GEF and your Small Grants Programme, I thank you for making our community all the better today.”

“I am very happy that we are a part of it,” Mr Stewart added. “I am very impressed with your level of commitment and dedication to the project and I am really, really looking forward to see it be a tremendous success that we could replicate not only here, but also in other islands of the Bahamas – and then it will go global.”