For over half a century, Mexico has celebrated July as National Reforestation Month. In 1951, the second Thursday of the month of July was declared as “Tree Day” in Mexico and on July 7, 1959 the entire month of July was designated as “National Reforestation Month.” How do we celebrate this event in Puerto Vallarta now after 50 years since it`s declaration?
A large mango tree in the patio area of one of the old downtown blocks of Puerto Vallarta disappeared. They have spent the past few days hauling off the dismembered trunk and sawed up limbs. The tree was easily 12 meters high and was decades old. It blocked the afternoon sun from pouring into my office. There were always birds seeking refuge from the mid-day heat and you could smell the mangos when they were in season, when the wind came off the ocean and the traffic was less. I lost a friend when that tree disappeared.
The head of Urban Planning and Ecology in Nayarit mentioned that he did not have time to organize a celebration of “Tree Day” this year. He did report that he has been able to obtain $200,000 pesos for ecology, will shortly inaugurate a new garbage dump, has 1000 projects in progress, 30 reforestation projects and developers are taking care of the trees in Nayarit. Now, that is really amazing. Unbelievable, really. I’ll leave it at that.
In Puerto Vallarta, there was no celebration of “Tree Day” by the authorities. But, we still have the remainder of the month for some type of commemoration if they would be interested.
How do we celebrate “National Reforestation Month” in Puerto Vallarta? In my years in Mexico, it has gone from an annual celebration to an almost forgotten ritual. Once, Presidents of the Republic would be seen with their sleeves rolled up, shovel in hand planting a small tree in some small agricultural town of the country. It may have been just for political show, but I still remember the photos. Today, even mayors send a representative or let it pass, unobserved.
But, this might not be all that bad. Government projects to plant 10,000,000 trees over the next few years have not proven to be all that effective. There are as reports that many of the trees are lost to drought and insects as there are accounts of success with survival rates of 80%. Again, unbelievable, really. What is clear, however, is that if recently planted trees do not receive some care during their first years of growth, the percentage that become healthy survivors is greatly reduced.
Perhaps you would like to continue celebrating “National Reforestation Month” during July. This July and every July. Plant and care for some new trees around your home this year. Do it every year to enjoy the shade and beauty of the wide variety of tropical shade trees which add so much to the character of Puerto Vallarta. As the official traditions of Mexico become a forgotten ritual for the authorities, perhaps it is now time for “National Reforestation Month” to become more of a personal and family activity for all the residents of Puerto Vallarta. Wasn’t that the original intention anyway?
And while, my friend, that big mango will no longer shade the afternoon sun for me, new trees can always be planted, providing shade and comfort for the next generation… and so they can have friends also.
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