Protecting the province's forest heritage and the natural resources that exist in these ecosystems is a top priority

Protecting the province's forest heritage and the natural resources that exist in these ecosystems is a top priority of the Forestry, Flora, and Wildlife Department of the Ministry of Agriculture's Delegation in Las Tunas.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- The preservation of the environment involves the joint management of the Forest Ranger Corps, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA, by its acronym in Spanish), and state and private forest owners, according to Osleydis Seoane Richardson, head of the activity.

Protecting the province's forest heritage and the natural resources that exist in these ecosystems is a top priority "That is achieved from several collective actions, but also influences some provisions that guarantee legality in the exploitation of forest areas; since October 2020, we have been working on the comprehensive plan to prevent violations and illegalities.

"We work on the issuance of forestry guides, document records, and legality of timber, in addition to training for workers and farmers. To this, we add the management of vocational training with the new generations and especially the Green Conscience Children's Contest."

The specialist considered that, in the territory, it is possible to increase the legal culture of the population to benefit from the forest patrimony with the generalization of the Forestry Law - Law 85. It includes the main illegalities that occur in these areas and the measures to be taken in case of each one of them.

Although there are fewer than in previous years, crimes in the forests are still reported in the municipalities of Las Tunas, such as the illegal felling of valuable varieties of flora, and the poaching of hutias, parrots, and other species, many of which are in danger of extinction.

Seoane Richardson emphasized that the prevention of forest fires is also a priority, with emphasis on the period from January to April, when the lack of rainfall worsens. In this sense, she pointed out that these measures are taken in the area of San Miguel del Junco, in "Amancio", one of the most endangered areas.