The historical relationship between Haitian man and his environment was characterized by an intrinsic harmony, where natural elements such as air, water, flora and fauna were deeply respected. Ancestral traditions, such as the planting of a tree at the birth of a child, symbolized this connection, with the child's navel buried beneath the tree, establishing a vital link between the individual and the earth.
However, these cultural practices have not been enough to preserve Haiti's rich ecological heritage. Precarious socio-economic conditions led to the over-exploitation of natural resources, a phenomenon exacerbated by the periods of Spanish and French colonization, which saw the massive destruction of primary forests. After independence in 1804, the situation only worsened, with the haphazard exploitation of precious woods and growing dependence on wood as the main source of energy.
Environmental degradation has been fuelled mainly by the forced displacement of poor farmers to mountainous areas, where they have cleared land to grow subsistence crops such as maize, beans, cassava and potatoes. These seasonal farming practices, on steep slopes, have accelerated erosion, reducing forest cover to around 4% according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), However, another study released in 2018 estimates this cover at just 0.1% of the country's total area.
The post-1915 era saw the introduction of an agricultural policy favoring monoculture by large companies, aggravating the displacement of peasants and uncontrolled deforestation. Urbanization and industrialization in the second half of the twentieth century increased demand for wood for domestic energy and in small-scale production units, leading to rural-to-urban migration and the emergence of new environmental problems, such as the degradation of water resources and poor waste management.
The current crisis in forest cover in Haiti, estimated at just under 1%, contrasts sharply with the 95% reported at the time of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Several factors have contributed to this drastic decline:
a) Colonial exploitation: Precious woods were exported on a massive scale during the colonial era.
b) Energy dependency: Wood remains the main source of energy for cooking and production activities such as bakeries and laundries.
c) Agriculture: Wood is used to support agricultural production and is also in great demand in the construction sector.
d) Government policies: large concessions have been granted to foreign companies for timber exploitation, leading to deforestation. Moreover, to counter political threats, dictatorial regimes have devastated border areas and neglected to provide energy alternatives to wood.
e) Economic factors: The lack of income-generating activities forces local people to produce charcoal to support their families.
f) Demographic pressure: Population growth frees up space for agriculture, exacerbating deforestation.
This analysis highlights the complex environmental management challenges facing Haiti, and underlines the urgency of adopting sustainable strategies to reverse degradation trends.
1. Partnerships and Community Involvement :
Collaborative partnerships with educational institutions and networks of diverse environmental organizations are developed to provide additional resources and knowledge.
2. Tree production and sponsorship programs :
Development of tree distribution programs where community members and students sponsored the planting and maintenance of trees.
3. Plantation monitoring :
Organization of regular sessions where students can observe and document tree growth and changes in the local environment.
4. Evaluation and monitoring :
Set up monitoring mechanisms to assess the impact of trees already distributed, in terms of survival, growth and ecological benefits.
5. Curricular integration :
An initiative to integrate specific modules on the environment, sustainability and waste management into existing school curricula.
6. Educational workshops :
Creation of workshops where students can learn about local biodiversity, the importance of trees in the ecosystem and planting and maintenance techniques.
7. Practical work :
Organization of practical work such as setting up school nurseries for reforestation purposes.
8. Communication and awareness :
Awareness campaigns are organized at school level to promote the benefits of trees and the importance of environmental conservation.
9. Educational events :
Educational events such as conferences every May 18 and fairs are organized to highlight environmental awareness efforts.
10. Capacity building
Provides ongoing training for teachers on the latest practices in environmental education.
11. Educational resources :
Development and distribution of educational resources, such as guides, leaflets and manuals on environmental conservation and tree planting.
By implementing these actions, Haiti Survie aims not only to raise environmental awareness, but also to get students, teachers and the community in general involved in protecting and enhancing the environment.
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