A number of initiatives have been undertaken to bring Guyana to a state of preparedness for World Cup 2007, and among them is the enhancement of the environment.
The National Parks Commission, through its Botanical Gardens nursery, has disclosed that it would be playing a major role in the enhancement initiative.
General Manager of the Commission, Ms. Inge Nathoo, said that as part of its strategy the Botanical Gardens would be facilitating training programmes at its nursery to educate residents along East Bank Demerara on the ways plants and trees could enhance their environment.
The training programme is also aimed at encouraging those residents to strive to improve their environment. Spearheading this exercise would be Agricultural Officer Ms. Yolanda Vasconcellos.
The residents would be exposed to information on various types of plants and where they are best suited. A special part of the programme would also expose participants to the proper way to pot plants.
The training programme would be held in the nursery of the Botanical Gardens, where viewers would be able to see some of the flourishing plants being groomed at the nursery.
Some 20 persons are expected to be a part of the initial training programme, which is likely to start on March 29 and last for five weeks. Another is expected to commence at the end of this first programme. These programmes, Vasconcellos said, would last until the end of this year, and would be primarily for the East Bank Demerara residents. However she noted that, based on interest showed towards the programme, it is likely that it would be designed to include residents countrywide.
Vasconcellos said that final plans are being put in place for the programme.
Persons desirous of being a part of this initiative would be asked to pay a minimal cost of $100, which Vasconcellos says would be used mainly to aid in the nurturing of plants to be used during the training programme.
Recently Minister of Labour Dale Bisnauth launched a Drainage and Irrigation Support programme on East Bank Demerara to help enhance the area for World Cup 2007.