Newly planted trees along Heroes Highway vandalised

The Protected Areas Commission (PAC), in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), has issued a strong condemnation of ongoing vandalism targeting young trees planted under the National Tree Planting Project, particularly along the Heroes Highway.

In a public statement on Friday, the agencies expressed concern over repeated acts of destruction, despite measures put in place to safeguard the saplings during their early stages of growth. According to reports and field observations, individuals have been deliberately breaching protective barriers to break, uproot, and damage the trees.

Officials also noted that materials used to secure the young plants—such as mesh and wooden enclosures—are being removed. This not only leaves the trees vulnerable to human interference but also exposes them to damage from cattle crossing the roadway.

The PAC emphasized that legal action will be taken against anyone found intentionally damaging public property.

The trees form part of Guyana’s National Tree Planting Project, a flagship initiative aligned with the country’s “Green Future” vision. Jointly implemented by the PAC and GFC, the project is designed to enhance the country’s landscape while contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Authorities stressed that the initiative represents a significant national investment. Beyond improving the visual appeal of roadways, the trees are considered vital components of Guyana’s environmental and infrastructural development.

The PAC and GFC are urging citizens to recognize that these trees are a shared national asset. Acts of vandalism, they warned, undermine environmental progress and rob future generations of their ecological heritage.

“We are working tirelessly to build a greener, healthier Guyana, but the success of this project depends on the respect and cooperation of every citizen,” the statement read. “We must move from being bystanders to being stewards of our environment.”

What Citizens Can Do

The agencies are calling on the public to take immediate action by:

• Refraining from interfering with the trees or their protective structures
• Reporting any acts of vandalism to the PAC, GFC, or the nearest police station
• Encouraging others to respect and protect Guyana’s green spaces

The PAC reiterated that safeguarding these trees is a shared responsibility and essential to ensuring the long-term success of the country’s environmental initiatives.