Seawall Coconut Tree Initiative -Shaam Outar

seawall coconuT Tree IniTiaTiVe - mr. shaam ouTar

I was born in the village of Better Hope on the East Coast of Demerara and later moved to Ogle Front where I lived for most of my younger years. As a child, I assisted, both my grandparents and my parents with planting their kitchen garden. As I grew older, I started to plant my own flower plants, and sold them at Plaisance and Bourda markets to make my “pocket piece” as we called it. By this time, I was appreciative of the environment as mother nature allowed me to make a few dollars.

As a young adult, after leaving High School, I attended the Government Technical Institute where I pursued studies in Land Surveying and subsequently became a qualified Sworn Land Surveyor. After working with the Lands & Surveys Department for ten years, in different sub regions in Guyana, I quit surveying and started my own business under the name A&S Enterprise.

I started to import and distribute goods throughout Guyana. As a businessman back in the early 2000’s, I travelled to Manus in Brazil looking for new opportunities. I stayed at a hotel in the middle of the city and looking outside from the 15th floor windows, I saw the most astonishing thing. There were Mango trees planted on the median strip between the carriage way and under those trees, were benches, where the less fortunate would take refuge. What really grabbed my attention, was the impact of a falling mango. Within seconds of a mango hitting the ground, these less fortunate persons would rush to get the mango to eat. Instantly, this had a huge impact on me, to see how much, one mango means to some people.

Upon returning to Guyana, I thought about what a wonderful thing it would be, if I could replicate my version of that street in Brazil. For me, to do so would be to add to a greener environment, to strengthen protection of our coastline, to provide homes or a place of rest for birds, to provide shade during times of heat, especially Easter Monday, when this area is used for kite flying; and importantly, I thought about how much happiness it will bring to the less fortunate who can get something to eat and drink. The coastline between UG Road and Ogle Gas Station was chosen as the most appropriate location to replicate the project and the more I thought about it, the happier it made me feel. I knew I had to do it. I started to gather young coconut plants and hired a few work men. Over the course of a few weeks in February 2013, we planted the young coconuts trees along the Ogle - Turkeyen Coastline. The entire experience was enlightening for everyone involved and is something I am sure they will treasure in their memory for the rest of their lives.

After planting the trees, I continued to maintain them and would replace those which died from time to time. I provided constant care and nutrition so that they would survive the harsh conditions of the weather. Overtime, I was elated to see the community workers who weeded the area, gathering the grass around the trees which acted as a fertilizer source to the plants. As the plants grew and withstood the weather, I felt a great sense of accomplishment.

My vision and motivation behind planting these coconut trees stemmed from wanting to preserve our environment and reducing our carbon footprint, and to see the less fortunate benefit from picking the coconuts and having something to eat. These trees will also serve as shelter to persons who wish to relax on the seawall and for those persons performing their religious ceremonies. I strategically planted the trees at a close enough distance to each other, so persons wishing to tie a hammock and can enjoy the scenic view of the majestic Atlantic Ocean in this natural habitat.

My dream of seeing Guyana have its own version of that street in Brazil remains. We are already halfway there. It is up to all of us, as citizens, to protect not just the trees I planted but our environment by keeping our surroundings clean and free from litter. This is something each Guyanese can commit to do. Guyana is beautiful. We are blessed Let us all contribute to its preservation in whatever way we can, be it small or otherwise with an abundantly rich biodiversity.

Shaam Outar

P.S. Shaam Outar is a longstanding member of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce. He is currently a Council Member and a member of the Green Economy Committee of the Chambers.