Georgetown: Guyana joined the rest of the world on March 21 in observance of the United Nations (UN) designated International Day of the Forest with a ceremony at the Umana Yana, Kingston where Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud informed of a $500M Land Reclamation Project that will be embarked on.
This project will see focus being placed on reclaiming forested land and engaging in reforestation activities in areas that are affected as result mining and timber extraction. Minister Persaud that this initiative is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to sustainable forestry management while at the same time maintaining the outstanding track record in this regard.
He assured that the Government will not shirk from its commitments and responsibilities at the global and national levels. As such, it has been putting in place the necessary policies and legislation to ensure sound and strict forest management.
“Guyana recommits itself to the principles of sustainable utilisation of these very important forest resources for socio-economic and other development, ensuring that this is done in keeping with environmental best practices,” the Minister said.
Guyana and many other like-minded developing countries have made considerable advances in addressing REDD+ and climate change challenges that were discussed at the highest international forums since 2007.
Minister Persaud lamented that regrettably, there is still no commitment, financial or otherwise from the international community to provide the necessary framework to transform the ideas discussed and agreed since 2007 on a global scale.
Despite this Guyana continues to advance on several innovative fronts, promoting its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to show the world how low deforestation and climate resilient development can be achieved without slowing economic growth.
The LCDS, launched in 2009 by former president Bharrat Jagdeo, outlines the case that Guyana’s forest was worth more alive than dead. Important in this model is the need for global leaders to agree on a necessary international climate treaty where all countries should accept the responsibility for climate change actions including deep cuts in green house gas emissions. However, this type of commitment has not been forthcoming.
To date, Guyana has developed the world’s first national scale Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS), in which forest area change can be detected using satellite imagery.
Minister Persaud said that even though Guyana’s forest has been harvested over the last 100 years on a commercial scale, it has still managed to keep 99 percent of its forest intact. This is supported by the fact that the country has been credited by international auditors as having one of the world’s lowest deforestation rates in the world.
“Guyana is very committed to ensuring that its forest resources are used wisely for development, but in a manner that recognises the need for future generation of Guyanese to enjoy access to this resource as well as in keeping with our global responsibility,” the Minister stated.
Guyana’s forest covers approximately 85 percent of the country with an estimated 18.5 million hectares. It is home to over 1000 plant and animal species and stands as one of the largest tracts of undisturbed forests in the world.
Commissioner of Forest, James Singh said successive governments have taken the laudable approach that use of forest resources must be in compliance with collaboratively developed guidelines. He noted too, that over the last 20 years, Guyana’s deforestation rate is less than 0.1 percent.
“We firmly believe that socio-economic growth and environmental best practices are no longer incompatible goals, but have been identified as two important pillars of enhancing the welfare and livelihoods of Guyanese at community and national levels,” Singh said.
International day of the forest was observed for the first time last year having been established by a resolution in 2012 by the UN General Assembly. This global celebration provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of forests.
Global deforestation continues at an alarming rate at 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
This year’s theme for International Day of the Forest was, “Celebrating forests for sustainable development.”
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