The Environment Ministry: plan of action

From the International Liaison Office for President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, 17 November 1995

Haiti was once among the richest and most productive colonies of the continent. Today, however, Haiti must organize an intensive campaign to overcome the devastation and deforestation caused by centuries of exploitation and neglect. What follows is the Environment Ministry's Plan of Action for the Environment for the 1995/96 fiscal year.

1. Reduce the drain on wood resources by urban consumers. Develop and implement policies of promotion, such as:
   • Reduce the use of wood-burning stoves by promoting the use of gas stoves, and improve existing wood and coal stoves;
   • Research economic policies and the democratization of the market;
   • Study the option of importing fuel from overseas (gas, coal, etc.);
   • Produce and evaluate bio-gas in the public slaughter houses;
   • Organize an international meeting about public consumer energy use.
2. Support the territorial collectives in the installation of an urban sanitary system by promoting and coordinating the following:
   • The organization of a trash collection system in urban areas of more than 5,000 inhabitants and in regional agricultural markets, as well as the identification of means of finance;
   • The identification and control of waste disposal sites;
   • The education of the population and the regulation of the quality of the water sold by public and private institutions;
   • The organization of permanent intersectorial commissions to develop norms for the administration of plastic packaging, the administration of waste, and the engine emissions.
3. Develop the watersheds, promoting and coordinating in the following areas:
   • The definition of strategies for the protection of water sources;
   • The promotion and technical support for the civil society groups and solidarity networks for reforestation and environmental rehabilitation;
   • Aerial seeding in critical foresting zones, and the development of various regional projects;
   • The education of the public on the short and long term damage to the community caused by the mismanagement of mines and quarries.
4. Establish foundations for ecological tourism through measures such as:
   • Support of the territorial collectives in cleaning and beautifying beaches and coastal areas;
   • Development of a project for the rehabilitation of various marine parks;
   • Support for the training of professionals in ecological tourism.
5. Other essential points on environmental education are:
   • Applying environmental education strategies;
   • Promoting community action in primary and secondary schools;
   • Coordinating a national campaign to expand local honey markets and to decentralize production;
   • Organizing seminars for the police on pollution and deforestation;
   • Developing rules for the use and commercialization of pesticides.
6. Institutional strengthening will consist of, among other things:
   • Training of professionals both in the Ministries and at the local level;
   • Organizing conferences to study national and international environmental laws; and
   • Supporting scientific institutions.