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GGMC to undertake $500M land reclamation project- Minister
This year, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will be funding a land reclamation project valued at $500M to aggressively reclaim lands and engage in reforestation activities to preserve the forest for future generations.
This was disclosed by Robert Persaud, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment at the commemorative ceremony of International Day of Forests and the Tree 2014. The event, attended by members of the diplomatic community, staff of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and secondary school students, was held at the Umana Yana, Kingston.
The Minister’s disclosure followed an appeal made by Chairperson of the
A section of the gathering at Umana Yana yesterday.
National Toshaos’ Council, Derrick John, for Government and international partners to support a reforestation project in some Amerindian communities.
John related that during the last El Nino condition, wildfires had destroyed the forest of several Amerindian communities resulting in vast savannah lands. This has limited villagers’ access to food, and sustainable logging. The forest is said to hold a deep spiritual bond with Amerindians.
According to John, Guyana’s indigenous population depend on the forests for their livelihood. Preservation of the forests is a responsibility passed on for generations, but current conditions such as climate change, irresponsible harvesting, “trans-border piracy”, and mining are threatening the forest’s sustainability.
While recognizing the importance of the forest, he stressed that the creation of other economic opportunities such as eco-tourism could help to reduce Amerindians’ dependency on the forest. He acknowledged that the Guyana Forestry Commission has been helping to preserve the forest but more needs to be done.
According to Persaud, Guyana has long recognized the value of the forest to its socioeconomic, cultural, spiritual and environmental well being. The forest covers 85 percent of the country’s landscape and provides shelter for over 1,000 plant and animal species.
He stated that by the beginning of 2014, Guyana and other like-minded developing countries had made considerable advances in addressing REDD+ and climate change challenges that were being discussed at top international forums since 2007.
“Regretfully, there is still no firm financial and other relevant commitments coming from the international community and developed countries that provides that necessary framework to transform the ideas discussed and agreed on since 2007, on a global scale,” Persaud noted.
He said that Guyana has not shirked from its responsibilities even though the global community with few exceptions has reneged on its commitment to provide the necessary financial and other resources to support developing countries in maintaining their forest resources, whilst still pursuing economic development.
Through financial support from the Norwegian Government, the Government of Guyana has been pursuing some developmental projects that would result in the preservation of the forest. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping Government to implement the Amerindian Development Fund financed by the Norwegian Government through the Guyana REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Investment Fund –GRIF.
According to Chisa Mikami, acting Resident Representative of the UNDP, the UN system in Guyana will continue to support the Government and people of Guyana by developing national and local capacities and enabling a rights-based approach towards the development of Guyana’s low carbon and climate resilient economy.
She noted that UNDP is a partner entity to Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund to help develop the village economies of Amerindian communities and accelerating titling of Amerindian lands. In addition, through the Guiana Shield Facility, the UNDP is assisting Guyana through the REDD Secretariat at the GFC to develop and implement the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System for REDD+. These capacities and tools are essential for payments for forest carbon services as well as identification and development of other co-benefits.
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