Cuba to Have National Park of 64,812 Acres

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7294, 2 August 1930, Page 4

Cuba to Have National Park of 64,812 Acres

WILL PROVIDE EXPERIMENTAL HELDS, PROTECTION OP PORESTS HAVANA, CUBA. The first national park in Cuba for protection of trees and plants arrangement of experimental fields for. agricultural purposes, and erection of a ruge experimental station, is to be established soon in the Province of Oriente, near the city of Mayari, comprising a government estate of more than 64,512 acres. Presidential decree ordering establishment of the park and providing the necessary funds has been .signed. The resolution bringing tho project to a head was based on one of the international resolutions adopted at the forest congress recently held in Rome, Italy, to the effect that each of the countries represented should provide adequate protection to all species of native plants and forest trees threatened with extinction. The tract composed of three largo fan'vs known as El Crista], Realengo del Cristal and Sierra del Cristal and contains hundreds of thousands of trees native to the island. The estate is crossed by three rivers, the Mayari, Lcvisa and Caonico, as well as by a score or more of smaller brooks and creeks. The national park will be under the supervision of tho Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Labour, and the director of the section of mountains and mines will be in direct charge. The entire estate will be fenced and admission allowed only by.its main entrance. Pishing and hurting within the park will bo strictly prohibited, and f.or enforcement of the law as well asjprotection of the property a detachment of rural guards will establish a permanent post. A fund of 5000 dollars is placed at the disposal of the department to begin work not later than June 1, and an appropriation large enough to develop tho national park will be included in the budget of general government expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1, .1930. Need for a national park such as this in Cuba has been felt for years, since tho -flora and fauna of Cuba cower a wide range and arc of fascinating interest. Many of the trees, flowers, Ashes, birds and insects bear aboriginal names comprising a long list. The tress arc remarkable for (heir size, the fine quality of their wood, their delicious fruit and brilliant flowers. The majestic pane of the cool north and the graceful palm of the lush tropics meet in this borderland of temperate and torrid zones.