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With the extensive damage to Grenadas forests caused by the passage of Hurricane Ivan, the Agency for Reconstruction and Development (ARD) commissioned The Forest Conservancy (TFC), a Jamaican company, to conduct an assessment of the damage, in collaboration with the Forestry and National Parks Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries. TFC Managing Director Keats Hall and Executive Secretary Guy Symes, on Wednesday, presented a Progress Report on their assessment to ARD Chief Executive Officer Richardson Andrews and National Recovery Specialist focusing on agriculture Mr. Terence Moore, along with Senior Forestry Officer Gordon Patterson. The TFC team, in collaboration with the Forestry and National Parks Department and the British Department For International Development (DFID) consultant Robert Dunn, examined forest resources and infrastructure on public and private lands from February 21 to March 3. Assessment focused on physical damage to the vegetation and the habitat of the Grenada Dove. This included the Dry Forest areas and parts of the Rain Forest, since access to the Rain Forest is limited. Many of the damaged trees still standing have begun to sprout leaves and needles, which was evident in the natural forest trees as well as the plantation forest and fruit trees. One of the recommendations in the Progress Report suggested that seasonal vine cutting operations and clearing of underbrush in the Dove sanctuaries at Mt. Hartman and Perseverance be undertaken and that suitable tree species be inter-planted in these areas to enrich production of feed for the bird population. Following receipt of the Final Report from TFC and the completion of the assessment underway by DFID consultant Robert Dunn, the ARD will examine the recommendations in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries to determine the appropriate measures to ensure the long-term viability of Grenadas forests.
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