The province of Holguin is advancing on increasingly solid foundations in environmental and forestry management. According to Juan Carlos González Leyva, senior territorial policy specialist. At the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA). The official highlighted that the results achieved between 2022 and 2025 demonstrate a strengthening of technical and control measures in ecosystem protection.
During the 2022-2024 period, the production of vermicompost and compost remained stable. Benefiting approximately 18,000 hectares of soil. These actions, based on circular economy principles, have facilitated land preparation and reforestation efforts. By September 2025, 4,240 hectares of the planned 4,410 had been recovered. Accompanied by 1,430 environmental inspections.
The OP15 project prioritized attention to areas such as the Cauto River basin and other areas of interest. Where 128 producers from three municipalities received economic incentives. For implementing best practices in agroforestry and livestock systems.
In the area of national parks, environmental management achieved satisfactory effectiveness in 2023. A trend that continued until the end of 2025. During that period, 24 eroded soils were rehabilitated. Actions were taken to control invasive species, and fire prevention measures were implemented in 31 kilometers of forested areas.
Environmental monitoring also showed improved performance. With 700 additional actions in the first half of 2025 and a 23 percent effectiveness rate. These tasks were integrated into the national system for the prevention of crimes against forest resources, flora, and fauna. As a result, 111 enforcement actions were carried out in national Parks. Resulting in 70 sanctions and fines totaling 88,650 pesos.
Regarding the reforestation program, González Leyva reported that in 2024, Holguin’s forest cover reached 392,120.67 hectares. Equivalent to 87.8 percent. Although the following year the figure decreased to 351,059.81 hectares (79.2 percent) due to fires in Mayari. Approximately 490 hectares remain in natural regeneration and another 716 hectares are under forestry development.
Mining rehabilitation also stood out for its impact. Between 2022 and 2023, 327 hectares of degraded soil were recovered using sustainable techniques. Such as the reuse of agricultural waste and the use of dried grape must in nurseries.
In 2024, 2,464.6 hectares were rehabilitated, of which 2,206.7 were incorporated into the forest reserves. In the first half of 2025, another 175.7 hectares were consolidated with a plant survival rate of 84.5 percent.
Finally, the specialist acknowledged that, although challenges persist regarding illegal gold mining. Joint actions between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA). Also the provincial government, and other institutions have been strengthened. To address this problem and guarantee the protection of natural resources.
By: Jorge Alejandro Fernández Pérez
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