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Orealla – an emerging Eco-Tourism attraction
By Rawle Welch
Nestled some 50 miles up the Corentyne River in East Berbice, Region 6, the Amerindian community of Orealla, home to the Arawak and Warrau tribes is an emerging eco-tourism attraction that is ready to show itself to the world.
Visitors can get a magnificent view of the sun rising, unlike any other location across the country.
The small peaceful community of approximately 2,000 inhabitants was first settled around 1918-19 by two families, who had escaped the ravages of a deadly flu virus that had effectively wiped out most of the natives of a village called Epera, also situated along the Corentyne River during the First World War.
According to Steve Cruickshank, who was born and bred in Orealla, the Amerindians who occupied the village of Epera felt that the community was overcome by an evil spirit so they decided to move from there and go further down the river where one set stopped at Orealla, while the other decided to settle at Siparuta, some seven miles further up river.
Cruickshank, who runs a Hotel just along the bank of the Corentyne River, revealed his interest in getting involved in Eco-tourism and according to him, this venture could be a successful one, since the community has a lot to offer in this regard.
He spoke of how fascinating it is for sightseers to witness the sun rising in the morning and enjoying a similar phenomenon in the afternoon when it sets, offering beautiful panoramic images of the earth and Orealla’s advantageous location.
According to the hotelier, Orealla has everything that a tourist would enjoy, including exciting sights
One of the notable features of Orealla is the magnificent chalk that serves as a barrier to stop the Corentyne River from reaching the land.
to behold such as jaguars and birds in their native habitat, while fishing and visiting many ancient locations of interest are also compelling reasons to draw vacationers to the Mission.
Cruickshank disclosed that the name Orealla means ‘The Land of Chalk’ and this is evidenced even before you embark on the community, with the land that keeps out the river being predominantly made up of the white and cream-coloured material.
When questioned about the main activities that go on in the community, Cruickshank said lumbering, hunting, fishing and farming are the major sources of income generation and existence, even though he reminded that they are generally not done on a commercial basis, but more for internal consumption.
Asked about whether he thinks Eco-Tourism could emerge as a major income-earner for the community and even private operators, Cruickshank responded by saying that it is because of a strong belief that they have formed a Tourist Committee to begin an aggressive drive to promote the community’s resources as a tourist attraction.
“People are coming very often now; they are coming to do bird watching and general sightseeing, so the idea to promote Eco-Tourism is gaining momentum. I personally have been engaged in discussions with Tony Thorne of Wilderness Tours and our talks have been fruitful so far,” Cruickshank stated.
Orealla it seems is a sleeping giant on the Eco-Tourism chart and support for its expansion must be supported and encouraged. Offering incentives and other related assistance should start immediately, as Guyana attempts to position itself as one of the perfect destinations for Eco-Tourists.
Meanwhile, Cruickshank extended thanks to Digicel for offering the community to host the football matches and called on the company to do whatever is possible to get its service to the community.
He pointed out that while other sports such as cricket and volleyball are played there, football is the favourite sport and bringing the matches there has provided a significant boost for Orealla.
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