Haiti - Port-de-Paix : Towards integrated management of the Haut-Fourneau mangrove ecosystem
As part of International Biodiversity Day, the Northwest Departmental Directorate (DDNO) of the Ministry of the Environment (MdE) organized an environmental sectoral roundtable on the theme : "Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Towards the Implementation of an Integrated Management Plan for the Haut-Fourneau Mangrove Ecosystem." This initiative is financially supported by the "Global Climate Change Alliance" (GCCA+ Haiti) project through the Climate Change Directorate.
Located approximately 4 km from downtown Port-de-Paix, the Haut-Fourneau mangrove is a strategic ecosystem covering approximately 270 hectares, including 100 hectares of mangrove forest. A true carbon sink, a natural shield against storms, and a reservoir of biodiversity, this mangrove protects several thousand residents spread across more than 14 communities in the 6th communal section of Paulin-Lacorne.
The Sectoral Table benefited from the active participation of several key figures and institutions, including representatives from sectoral ministries, the Northwest Departmental Delegation, vice-delegations, the city halls of Port-de-Paix, Chansolme, and Saint-Louis-du-Nord, the Police Station, the Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH), and Customs. Representatives of community organizations, the Public University of the Northwest (UPNO), members of the press, and several technical partners involved in sustainable environmental management were also present.
According to Luckner Noël, Departmental Director of the Ministry for the Northwest, this Sectoral Table takes place at a time when the effects of climate change are intensifying. It aims to strengthen consultation between institutional, community, technical, and economic stakeholders around shared priorities for the conservation and sustainable management of this fragile ecosystem. "This initiative lays the foundations for shared governance between public authorities, community organizations, and technical partners around a future integrated mangrove management plan."
The discussions allowed participants to take stock of environmental and social issues, identify the main threats, propose concrete measures, and validate the steps toward developing an inclusive roadmap.
