With a goal of 200,000 trees to be planted, Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal and the Mayor of Mérida, Renán Barrera Concha, launched the reforestation project in the city, as part of the objectives of the Mérida 2050 Declaration.
In the framework of the World Environment Day (June 5th), Vila Dosal and Barrera Concha began these works in Los Héroes subdivision, where they planted 500 trees and donated another 300. The State and Municipal Governments have committed to plant 100,000 each, in different parts of the city, in order to plant a total of 200,000.
The Governor mentioned that Merida and Yucatan are recognized worldwide for having good air quality, however, it is necessary to work on permanent reforestation campaigns and not only isolated efforts during the hot season.
Vila Dosal stressed that in Mérida not a single tree is cut without expert consultation, stressing that for each tree that is cut down due to disease or antiquity, another 10 or 20 are planted.
It should be noted that the planting of 200,000 trees will be carried out from June to September and through the “Adopta” program, in which the trees are planted in private sites, and also through reforestation activities that involve the participation of civil society.
With the planting of the 200,000 trees, it is expected that 3,440 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) will be captured per year and with this it will be possible to filter 5,503,470 cubic meters of fresh air annually, so that Mérida and Yucatán continue to maintain a high quality air.
Only native species such as Pich, Ramón, Katalox, Balché, X’kanlol, Mandarina, Zapote, Oak, Jícara, Caimito, Mango, Mamey, Yaca, Sour Orange, Limón, Macuilís and Campanita will be planted; and in the case of the “Adopta” program, citrus trees will be donated because they are smaller and can be planted in the courtyards and gardens inside houses.
The Yucatan Times Newsroom
