The Departmental Directorate of the Ministry of the Environment (MdE) in the South continues its efforts to protect and enhance the Lachaux Pond, located in the commune of Camp-Perrin (Southern Department). Lachaux Pond is the largest freshwater lake in this region in terms of volume and length (1.7 km²), covering an area of ​​over 0.54 km². It is a major ecological heritage site and one of the most valuable wetland ecosystems in the region.

A true reservoir of biodiversity, Lachaux Pond plays an essential role in hydrological regulation, the preservation of endemic and migratory species, and the replenishment of groundwater. It protects the soil from drying out and is a vital resource for agricultural irrigation, artisanal fishing (common carp, tilapia, etc...), and, to some extent, eco-tourism. But this balance remains fragile : deforestation, erosion, and unsustainable exploitation of surrounding lands are now threatening its survival.

Faced with these challenges, since July 27, 2018, the Ministry of Environment, through its Departmental Directorate, has been conducting reforestation campaigns around the Lachaux Pond and organizing awareness-raising activities among landowners and neighboring communities https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26923-haiti-environment-300-000-seedlings-to-protect-the-watershed-of-the-pond-la-chaux.html . These actions aim to restore vegetation cover, protect the banks from siltation, and promote the regeneration of the natural habitat. "Local communities, particularly associations and schoolchildren, are actively involved in these initiatives, which has strengthened the participatory and sustainable dimension of the intervention," said Jean-Marc Chérisier, Departmental Director of the Ministry of Environment in the South.

Chérisier also emphasized that the protection of the Lachaux Pond cannot be limited to one-off actions. It is part of an integrated and sustainable management strategy that closely involves local populations and all stakeholders.

"It is through this strategy that the departmental directorate aims to ensure the preservation of this heritage for future generations."

In this spirit, the Ministry of the Environment, through the South Departmental Directorate, reaffirms its commitment to protecting the Lachaux Pond and promoting sustainable management of natural resources, in the interest of Camp-Perrin, the South Department, and the entire country.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre