Forestry and mining need much greater vigilance

Oct 27, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Guyana’s rivers and forests hold the key to the survival of the society as we know it. Yet Guyanese citizens know next to nothing about how wisely or efficiently these vital sectors are being managed.
The recent publication (SN 25/10) with respect to the REDD+ programme illustrates how little we know.
The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is not challenging the accuracy of the reports, but is very concerned that matters so vital to our future are ring-fenced against effective democratic oversight by opaque language and complex processes.
The revelation that mining is responsible for 93% of de-forestation in Guyana in 2012 seems astounding.
While virtually everything about mining generates unease, it still comes as a shock to learn the extent to which the sector is out of control.
The draft REDD+ Report containing this information also points out that between 2011–2012 there was a 25% increase in de-forestation rates, carrying Guyana into the zone where financial penalties begin to eat into the payments Guyana can expect from Norway.
Most of the devastation, the Report states, is to be found alongside rivers and roads, suggesting that forest degradation is the result of small-scale mining.
One has to make that assumption because of the unvarnished nature of the information made available.
Are we to understand that the official forestry sector only accounts for 7% of de-forestation?
Can we expect more detailed information, for example, on how much the Rusal operations in Kwakwani, or the revival of manganese mining in the North-West, or the Chinese forestry concessions contribute to this alarming rate of de-forestation?
Who is building the roads to remote concessions and how much do they contribute to undermining – literally – the REDD+ programme?
This information is not readily available. Too few people know and even fewer of those who provide official information are trusted enough to be believed.
Again, the GHRA is not challenging the validity of the figures, much less defending the free-for-all in the mining sector.
We are concerned about the absence of democratic oversight of these sectors. Nothing about the REDD+ programme, for example, is straight-forward.
A torrent of acronyms and technical terms defend them from being understood or influenced by concerned citizens.
Procedures for dispersing Norwegian funds are tortuous in their complexity, presumably to counter every imaginable scam that corrupt governments might be inclined to try.
Executive Committee
Guyana Human Rights
Association

Latest News

Forestry and mining need much greater vigilance

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Alarm in West Indies over radical two-division plan for Test cricket

After 18 years hiatus, West Indies arrive in...

Uniting through Futsal

Westside Golf Course Opens 2025 with $100K...

Hardaiow, Mahabeer cop best batter and bowler...

FL Sport extends support to Polly’s Nursery...

Features/Columnists

The Horse Racing Authority Bill will solve nothing!

Forget Begging Rich Nations: Caribbean Countries Should Act to Save Themselves

Guyanese at the movies

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Forestry and mining need much greater vigilance

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]