As fires rage across the Amazon in South America, a result of exploitation by agro-capitalists, Cuba has increased the percentage of its country covered by forest in the past year.
Around the world, 7.3 million hectares of land is deforested each year. Brazil is among the worst actors. From only 2017-2018, 7,900 square kilometers were cut down an amount roughly equivalent to 987,000 football pitches. The rate of deforestation in Brazil has significantly increased with spreading Amazon fires under far-right President Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro actually sacked the head of the government’s space agency for pointing out new areas of deforestation.
Cuba has tripled its forested area since 1959
A report published on Wednesday by Cuban media outlet Granma, reports the increase in forested area and examines how state environmental policies achieved it. The report also illustrates how today, Cuba’s forested area has almost tripled in the period since 1959, despite mass deforestation in every other part of the world.
The report by Granma points to figures from the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture which show an increase of over 22,000 hectares of forested area in the last year, an increase of juat 0.26 percent, meaning that forest now makes up almost a third of the entire country’s surface area, just over 31%. This is in stark contrast to 1959, prior to the revolution, when just 13% of Cuba was covered by forest.
State polices have produced forests covering 31% of the island
State intervention to reforest large areas and strengthen existing trees has been key. According to the report, these policies include planting new trees and supporting natural regeneration where it happens, and setting aside 69% of the increase purely for conservation purposes.
Other policies include enriching existing forests that are at risk of degradation. This is done by measures such as pruning trees and cutting away dead ones to make way for new growth.
Mining companies are required to replant trees
The Ministry of Agriculture stressed that protecting forests doesn’t have to come at the expense of economic growth. Mining is one of Cuba’s largest industries; the country has one of largest nickel reserves in the world. In recent years foreign investment has increased with partnerships alongside nationalized Cuban mining companies.
Under Cuban law, mining companies are allowed to clear forests, but are also under obligation to replant the same number of trees that they cut down within a two year period. 3000 hectares are cleared annually for mining operations but figures show that Cuba has an average reforestation rate of 16,000 hectares per year, therefore outstripping what is lost.
Ending the US blockade would accelerate the task
Cuba is nevertheless still affected by forest fires. Figures from the Ministry say that around 3000 hectares are affected by fires annually, with 90% of these caused by human activity such as irresponsible farming and accidents. However,
In June, the President of Cuba’s Central Bank, Irma Martinez, spoke at a conference in Switzerland highlighting the gains in reforestation, but argued that reforestation could accelerate even further if the US blockade on the island were to be lifted. Cuba would be able to import more modern technology at the service government reforestation operations.
Reprinted from teleSUR, September 5, 2019
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