Ecologists from all over the country come together in Granma to exchange about the sustainability and conservation of botanical gardens in Cuba and the possibility of promoting ecotourism based on the natural wealth they treasure.

On the first day, the representatives of the 11 Cuban botanical gardens, tourism specialists and researchers from scientific institutions, were focusing on the strengths and challenges to face so as to promote the development of these ecosystems.

The Master in Science Carlos Manuel Pérez Cuevas, General Director of the National Botanic Garden, presented in his lecture on the economic sustainability of botanical gardens, the role of Ecotourism for the development of these institutions and the environmental promotion of gardens.

Promoting the exchange of experiences and innovations in conservation, education and research to solve common challenges of the botanical gardens is one of the premises of this national meeting.

Likewise, key topic to be addressed are related to tourism, nature and sustainability; the potential of botanical gardens for bird watching; the challenges and training strategies of the national network of botanical gardens.

The participants present a characterization of their botanical gardens: Soroa, Quinta de los Molinos, Pinar del Río, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, The National, in Havana; that of Cienfuegos, Las Tunas, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Camagüey, in addition to the Cupaynicú that is located in our province, considered one of the three most important and best preserved in the country.

During the event, participants will tour the southern coast of the province, the Braulio Coroneaux Monuments, in Guisa, La Demajagua and Desembarco del Granma, as well as the community of Cabo Cruz and the Cactus Garden in Pilón. (Milena Céspedes Milan / PHOTO: from the author)