TRIMMINGS AND TREE PLANTING FOR MOKA

• Post by: Alisia James-Perez
• Nov 30, 2020

The scenic St. Andrew’s Golf Club in Moka, Maraval was the location of a tree-planting exercise along the bank of the Maraval River which runs through the golf course before making its way to the lower reaches of Maraval. Observation by management at the golf course and persons in the community revealed that bamboo patches just outside of the golf course often fall into the riverbed and are swept away when there is heavy rainfall, obstructing the river and contributing to the flooding which sometimes takes place. In an effort to reduce the likelihood of this occurring, the AARP partnered with Councillor Andy Felician, the
representative for Moka/Boissierre area, to remove some of the bamboo overhanging the river and at risk to falling in.

An engineer from the Diego Martin Regional Corporation (DMRC) visited the site to identify which of the bamboo could be safely removed. Consultation was also done with nearby residents to ensure they were on-board with the plans for the area. The DMRC provided an excavator (which was transported to the site with assistance from the Defence Force) for the removal of the excess bamboo. The next stage was a tree planting exercise which was completed in November with participation from staff of the St. Andrew’s Golf Course and Councillor Felician. Trees donated by the Forestry Division were planted along the upper and lower riverbank with the intent that this will help to control land slippage and erosion into the river. A follow-on phase of the project is under consideration to assist in remediation works to prevent further land slippage and erosion of the riverbank.