The Ministry of Environment (MoE) says that through its technical and departmental bodies, it is fighting hard for a robust response to the destructive fires that have broken out in two exceptional forest ecosystems in the country. These are the Pine Forest National Natural Park on the West Side of the Massif de La Selle and the Pine and Lotifoliate Forest National Natural Park (hardwoods and forests on karst) of Macaya du Massif de La Hotte https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39062-haiti-environment-sos-to-save-the-pine-forest-the-parc-la-visite-and-the-macaya-park.html

These bodies, helped at the local level by volunteers from the population and certain civil society organizations, recognized for their professionalism in the environmental sector, are currently hard at work with a view to carrying out a massive attack against the spread of these fires, to assess the damage and to take subsequent measures in the short and medium term.

The Ministry recalls that the severity of fires in the country naturally varies from year to year depending on the season. In a general way. the long periods of drought characteristic of the tropical climate, with high temperatures, low relative humidity and strong winds, especially in areas with relief, are particularly conducive to the outbreak of fire. The period of forest fires in Haiti extends from January to August. The litter of twigs, dead leaves and dry grass that then covers the ground is a highly flammable material, conducive to the spread of fires.

Moreover, the first available information suggests that the current fires have a dual origin:

• Natural (meteorological factors that worsen with climate change, including the El Nino phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, which increases temperatures and accentuates drought;

• Criminel (Fertilization by burning land, wild cutting of forest trees, market gardening and charcoal production, etc.). The Ministry is conducting a proximity investigation to establish the exact facts.

At a time when the Haitian Government, during the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in Canada, has the flagship objective of protecting 30% of land, inland waters and oceans, the Ministry reiterates its unwavering desire to save the destruction of these two ecosystems.

HL/ HaitiLibre