ANDROS, Bahamas - The South Andros Handicraft & Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) will hold an official launching ceremony of the “South Andros Coastal Restoration & Coconut Project” on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 10am at the Craft Centre in Motion Town, Long Bay Cays, South Andros, Bahamas. 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 (e.g. the Casuarina) 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.
The Bahamas Ambassador to CARICOM and Member of Parliament for the South Andros Constituency, the Hon. Picewell Forbes will be in attendance and will bring remarks at the event. It is also anticipated that other government officials and Members of Parliament will be present.
