Iwokrama to work closer with CI
By Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
June 26, 2004
CONSERVATION International (Guyana) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation formalised their relationship on Thursday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the two agencies working closer to achieve the common goal of managing Guyana's national forest resources.
The programme is also directed at the sustainable use of the forest resources.
Director Generals of the two agencies, Major General (retired) Mr. Joseph Singh and Dr. Graham Watkins, respectively, signed the MOU at CI local headquarters in Queenstown, Georgetown.
Yesterday's signing is in keeping with the agencies' networking and partnership which are an important component in the process developing the protected areas system.
Singh noted that the two organisations have been collaborating since 1992 on Guyana's Protected Areas System through the Harpy Eagle project, working with the balata artists for example, and now there is a MOU with the Government of Guyana on the Protected Areas System.
He said the protected areas system should not be seen as sterile representation on the map of Guyana, adding that it has form, contents, an important eco system and human security implications.
"We are not operating as enclaves, but are part of a whole, therefore formalising the relationship is important so that efforts by both entities are not duplicated", Singh said.
A meeting of Presidents
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo (left) shows President of Conservation International (CI), Mr Russ Mittermeirer (right) to a seat at Office of the President in Georgetown.
The occasion was a courtesy call the visitor paid on the Guyanese Head of State Thursday.
North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) Chairman, Mr. Rodney Davis, at the signing, noted that Iwokrama and his organisation have had an ongoing relationship over many years, which significantly contributed to the development of communities in the Rupununi.
But with Iwokrama now formalising its relationship with CI, there would be a stronger partnership for the benefit of the NRDDB and the people of the Rupununi, he said.
Davis said CI would bring to the people of the Rupununi more technical skills and funding for the Arapaima management project.
The Arapaima fish stock in the Rupununi has been depleted to the point of becoming extinct, but that has risen because of assistance from Iwokrama to monitor and manage, he said.
He reported that with the collaborative efforts of CI, NRDDB would be able to better manage this project.
Further technical and other assistance from CI would help the indigenous people of the Rupununi who would want to show Guyana and the world that they could manage sustainable biodiversity projects, Davis said.
CI and Iwokrama have collaborated substantially in the past, dealing with other aspects of training people in the Rupununi to manage their forest, and particularly training Rangers who are placed to monitor activities on the Iwokrama Forest Reserve. Many of these rangers are now working with CI.
Watkins noted that the Rupununi is a stunning area that is globally important from a biodiversity perspective.
It is probably one of the most species- rich areas in the world for fish and has the highest number of Bat species. Ninety Bat species have been recorded in the Rupununi, he reported.
With this in mind, he said, Guyana needs to work together to bring world recognition to this particular area because of this stunning importance.
One of the ways of doing this is to get more books published, develop monitoring and management tools for the area, he said.