Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Nuevitas, Camagüey, September 29. -When we talk about the environment, the natural surroundings, or nature, we must refer to every living being on Earth. The sea, flora, and fauna form a whole that gives life and accompanies humanity.
As part of the environment, we mention the coastline of the Camagüey municipality of Nuevitas, where a natural barrier of incalculable value rises: the mangroves.
These unique plant formations, with their intertwined roots submerged in brackish water, create a picturesque landscape. They are also silent sentinels of the coast, vital protectors against the fury of the sea, and a cradle of impressive biodiversity.
The importance of mangroves is multifaceted and crucial. They act as the first line of natural defense against tropical storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis, dissipating wave energy and preventing coastal erosion.
Their dense root networks filter the water, improving its quality, and their intricate labyrinths are essential nurseries and refuges for a variety of fish, shrimp, crabs, and other species, many of which are commercially valuable to local fishing.
Mangroves are also exceptionally efficient carbon sinks, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change.
However, these irreplaceable ecosystems are currently under increasing threat, jeopardizing their natural richness in Nuevitas and also the safety and livelihoods of their communities.
In Nuevitas, as in many other coastal areas of the Cuban island, these vital ecosystems face significant pressures. Urban expansion and infrastructure development, often without proper environmental planning, involve clearing to make way for construction.
Industrial activity, while necessary for economic development, can cause pollution from waste discharges that alter the salinity and chemical composition of the water, directly affecting the health of these resilient plants; not to mention illegal logging for wood or firewood that, although less visible, contributes to their degradation.
It is imperative that local authorities, businesses, and the community of Nuevitas become aware of the seriousness of this situation because saving the mangroves is not only an environmental issue, but also a matter of survival and well-being for the municipality. (Yanet Toranzo Valls/Radio Nuevitas) (Photo: Taken from the Internet)
