Call for a public debate on the greenheart issue

Oct 17, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor;
The Guyanese public has recently been inundated with the topical issue of the UK’s ban on Guyana’s premium species greenheart, commonly known as Iron Wood. Greenheart has been traded on the international market for decades unhindered. It is an important species for the growth and development of the forest sector and Guyana economy as a whole.
The recent attack against the government and the private sector (GMSA&FPA) by Dr. Janette Bulkan is uncalled for. Her assessment and presentation on the matter is flawed and is weak in its scientific background.
Rather she uses published work of the GFC and renowned scientists and tries to criticise their studies rather than come up with her own work of findings. I would be happy to read and review some of her scientific work on core environment and forestry matters such as growth and yield of greenheart, greenheart distribution, allowable cut, diameter sizes, canopy cover, soils etc.
Her continued attack on the government and private sector regarding this species cannot stand up to any scrutiny. Guyana’s forest has been subject to many international and credible audits and has always been regarded as one of the best managed forests in the world. It’s surprising that Dr. Bulkan is not aware of these or very conveniently puts on blinders to these credible international opinions on Guyana’s forest. She can’t be so naïve to think that Norway will pay Guyana US $250M for a poorly managed forest.
Her attack on Guyana’s forest not only damages overseas markets but is an indictment on Guyana’s green economy plan and one of the brain child projects of President Granger Sustainable forest management is the core or foundation of a green economy.
Dr. Bulkan’s attack on Guyana’s forest management system is therefore an attack and disrespect to President Granger and the entire Guyanese people. She was an advocate for change, change has come and she continues to attack.
I wonder if not being considered for the post of presidential adviser on environment or adviser on forestry is a factor here? I call for a public debate on this greenheart matter.
Let Dr. Bulkan be invited to give a presentation on her reasoning for the ban and let the GFC and private sector be allowed to do a similar presentation on the matter and let’s have an open public discussion on the matter. Let’s stop all the letter writing and debate on the matter in the public. I am sure the GFC or the GMSA and FPA will more than willing to facilitate this forum.
Finally Dr. Bulkan’s illustration of black cake as an analogy is another example of her myopic vision on the topic. My grandmother used to make a good black cake, I still have friends who can make good black cake and offer Dr. Bulkan and John Palmer to enjoy as they did with the water coconuts sitting in a hammock in the WAINI village some years ago they were doing a crab wood oil management plan for the community I am sure the people of Waini can recall Dr Bulkan and John Pamer holidaying in the Waini community.
Peter Persaud

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Call for a public debate on the greenheart issue

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