• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 04 / 24 / 2011

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By Manuel Valdes Paz / radioangulo.icrt.cu / Saturday, 23 April 2011 09:32. Reforestation in Holguin province is a key task in environment protection. Photo: Amauris Betancourt The Cuban province of Holguin has increased its mountain forests - located to the east mainly, thanks to reforestation in different areas, the care given to the woods, and other works as the control on timber commercial exploitation.

These last years Holguin has planted 20,370 hectares with autochthonous species or that are appropriate for the soil and climate condition of the heights.

According to local sources 15,272 hectares are long living woods, while 5,098 hectares are less than three years old.

Holguin boasts of having prevailing natural forests in 102,279 hectares, mostly in the Nipe plateau, in Pico Cristal mountain range and in the Sagua-Moa massifs.

The priority given by the state Turquino-Manati Plan allowed Holguin have around 90 percent of its surface declared forest patrimony (135,637 hectares).

Nevertheless, there are 8,320 hectares yet to be afforested, where local forces would have to continue working in order to avoid soil’s erosion and other collateral damages.

On the other hand, some 12 forest fires have been put out so far this year, which have hit some 567 hectares, in addition to other violations like sand exploitation in river basis that also affects reforestation.

Preventing fires from happening would become a joint task by the forest rangers and the population living in those areas, a must after the lingering drought hitting Holguin province.

Source: www.radioangulo.cu/en/news/holguin/