Reforestation and land rehabilitation in some areas of Nicaragua most affected by Hurricane Mitch will get a jump start from the Sustainable Forestry Investment Promotion Project, a $9 million credit approved by the World Bank. Certification of sustainable forestry practices is a primary aim of the newly funded project.
“Unless a good market for forestry products can be developed, trees will continue to be looked upon as obstacles to agriculture, and be cut down or burnt down, since they present no economic benefit for the landowner or shifting cultivator,” says Paola Agostini, environmental economist of the World Bank and task manager of the project.
A national forestry policy strategy will be created with relevant governmental agencies, the private sector and civil society. A grants program will finance pilot projects for private and communal forestry entrepreneurs.
At current rates of deforestation, the remaining areas of productive broadleaf forests will be eliminated in only 10-15 years.
Source: Environment News Service (ENS)
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