Haiti - Environment : Works against erosion in Gros Morne
The gully Desrocher in the eighth communal section of Gros Morne (Artibonite), represents, in rainy season, a real hazard at the environmental level and for the local population. To cope, officials of the Organization of Planters for the development of Ravine Gros Morne (OPDRGM) have initiated a project of correction and reforestation of three kilometers of gully funded by the Minustah up to 971.000 gourds (40 gourds = ± USD$1).
"Reducing the risks of erosion, by vegetation and the correction" is the main objective of the project. Executed with the help of a private operator, these works had for objective to "increase the purchasing power of the population of Boyer by creating 160 jobs".
To reach these objectives, the officials have devoted about three months to the execution of the project. "The work consisted to the construction of weirs (seuils) in drystone, to the plantation of fruit trees, forestry and erosion control plants", explained Johnathan Cheranord, president of the Organization of Planters for the development of Ravine Gros Morne (OPDRGM), who initiated the project. About 250 clumps of vetiver, 600 cuttings of reeds, 1500 cuttings of sugar cane, 560 of bamboo and 3.019 seedlings of cedar and mango have in effect been planted.
In addition, a total of 119 weirs were built in the bed of the Ravine Desrocher which constituted a real threat for the inhabitants of this locality. "We have decided to initiate this project in response to rains which destroyed a dozen houses, damaged dozens of others, devastated fields and washed away cattle" said Mr. Cheranord, who is also the coordinator of the Board of Directors of the Communal Section (CASEC) of the eighth communal section of Gros Morne.
Today, the scenery is quite different. "We were able to verify the reliability and the importance of these works during the Hurricane Tomas, in November 2010. Now we have peace of mind when it rains", added the coordinator.
