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Venezuela is recognized for it’s new National Forest Policy
By Maria Victoria Verde
April 23, 2005
New York--Venezuela has been recognized in the United States for its national sustainable development model to protect its forest resources.
"The recognition that today, Earth Day, our government reaffirms our unshakable will to maintain our forests," said Environment Minister Jackeline Farías.
This Earth Day, college of Environmental Science and Forestry School in Syracuse, New York presented a plaque of recognition to the Venezuelan Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Jackeline Farías for the reform of the country’s forest policy to create a comprehensive national forestry policy that prohibits and controls the slashing and burning of rare species, including cedar, mahogany, and pardillo.
"The Venezuelan government’s environmental policy from the last six years has been strengthened in the context of the Venezuelan constitution, which protects the right of the population to a healthy, safe and ecologically balanced environment," said Minister Farías in a presentation before university officials.
The new National Forest Policy is the result a comprehensive study of past administrations’ environmental regulations, and is founded on a more democractic, participatory approach.
For the president of the University, Cornelius Murphy, this is an example that must be duplicated by others. "I am impressed by the recent actions taken by the Venezuelan government to protect its forest resources, and it should serve as an example to other countries in the tropical zone," commented Murphy.
The college in New York State is one of the most prestigious schools specializing in the preservation of a healthy environment. The school is in charge of monitoring the cleanup of Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, which represents more than 20% of the freshwater in the world.
Venezuela’s new model of environmental development, focusing on the proper stewardship of forests in the context of human needs, does not just serve as a theoretical example for environmental students, but can be applied to practical and sustainable forest management.
"The fact that a tree shorter than 30 centimeters cannot be cut unless without specific approval represents a wonderful example of sustainable balance to protect the natural reserves and ecosystems that deserves to be studied by future generations ", said Dudley J. Reinal, the Dean of the Environmental Science and Forestry program.
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