San Juan, Feb 18 (Inditop.com/EFE) Puerto Rico will plant millions of trees over the next three years as part of its island-wide reforestation project.
The Plataforma Verde (Green Platform) initiative was unveiled by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) Wednesday.
DRNA secretary Daniel Galan said an investment of over $10 million would be required for the project.
He said 300,000 trees would be planted this year.
The official added the initiative would be supplemented by a separate project sponsored by Puerto Rico’s Inter-American University that will plant one million trees across the Caribbean island.
“Sixty percent of Puerto Rico’s territory (US commonwealth) has a good degree of forest coverage and the new measure is an effort to improve the current situation,” the secretary noted.
The plan places special importance on the island’s hydrographic basins and wetlands that act as a natural buffer against pollution.
Trees reduce wind velocity, regulate temperature, mitigate heat build-up with the shade they provide and filter rainwater, which in turn reduces soil erosion.
They also absorb greenhouse gases and help reduce global warming. DNRA said each tree supplies daily oxygen requirements of five people.
