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| Caribbean Property Magazine Home / November 2009 / 'Guyana: EcoTourism in Action' | SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND  |
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N O V E M B E R
 2 0 0 9Issue 34
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| GUYANA: ECOTOURISM IN ACTION by Lulu Basuil Dutch and British colonization made an indelible mark on Guyana, leaving behind a now dilapidated colonial capital, a volatile mix of peoples and a curious political geography. The country's natural attractions, however, are impressive, unspoiled and on a scale that dwarfs human endeavor. Guyana has immense falls, vast tropical rainforest and savanna teeming with wildlife. If the government doesn't destroy the environment in a bid to pay off its huge foreign debt, Guyana could be the eco-tourism destination of the future. Right now, it's the place for independent, rugged, Indiana Jones types who don't mind visiting a country that everybody else thinks is in Africa. Life in Guyana is dominated by mighty rivers, including the Demerara, the Berbice and the Essequibo, which provide essential highways into the rain forests and jungles of the interior. Mankind has made little impact here, and today Guyana remains one of the world's most exciting destinations for adventuresome travel and exploration. FOR THE ADVENTURER, GUYANA IS A PLACE OF WONDER; FOR THE ECO-TOURIST, IT IS A COUNTRY WHERE NATURE HAS PLACED ITS GREATEST RICHES. For the adventurer, Guyana is a place of wonder; for the eco-tourist, it is a country where nature has placed its greatest riches. This is truly that place where you can feel the beauty of the nature whisper across your heart and discover an experience never to be forgotten. Guyana’s Quest for Eco Tourism Developing countries throughout the world especially those in the Caribbean and the West Indies are paying keener and keener attention to the creation of an eco-tourism and sustainable development base to satisfy a growing niche market that could pave the way for socio-economic growth and development for their respective population.  The work that is being undertaken at the 370,000 hectares Iwokrama (International Center For Rain Forest Conservation and Development) project in Guyana's hinterland could well become the prototype for the eco-tourism and sustainable development goal that so many nations are seeking. The project on which the future generation of Guyanese and indeed other countries of the world will depend, has its mission clearly defined: "The mission of the Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development is to promote the conservation of the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of technologies." It was recognized by the Government of Guyana that eco-tourism is a potentially valuable and sustainable use of tropical forest ecosystems, and this recognition led to a World Bank/Commonwealth Secretariat grant for study on the potential for eco-tourism in the Iwokrama Forest. The study concluded that eco-tourism is a viable and appropriate endeavor for the Iwokrama Center, which has several characteristics that give it a potential comparative advantage in the development of eco-tourism. The Iwokrama Forest itself is a unique resource of natural and human communities, with extra-ordinary scientific and global conservation value, and a combination of attractive elements that have tremendous appeal to potential visitors interested in natural history, social anthropology and conservation. Tropical rain forests are currently high on the list of popular destinations for nature and adventure travelers. Work at the center is continuing against the background of a world demand for a substantive demonstration that the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forest can provide tangible and lasting benefits to the governments and communities that own these resources or depend on them for their very livelihoods. In most parts of the world, forest development has not been sustainable; hence the emphasis on what is being done in Guyana at the Iwokrama Center. As part of the on-going projects at Iwokrama, the Wilderness Preserve (WP) was established in an area comprising approximately half of the Iwokrama Forest. The WP will give maximum protection to Iwokama's rich biological diversity while allowing opportunities for some income generation from low-impact activities such as eco-tourism, scientific research and conservation sponsorship. The management plan for this area will emphasize management issues such as boundary demarcation, environmental monitoring, patroling and provision and maintenance of an access network of creeks for canoeing, foot trails and primitive campsites among others. The development of management plans for the other half of the forest, the Sustainable Utilization Area (SUA), is more complicated as the main purpose of this area is to use the multiple resources of the tropical forest so that they yield the greatest benefit to present generations while maintaining their potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. The word Iwokrama is derived from the Amerindian word that means "place of refuge." Among the striking features of the Iwokarama forest is the abundance of several large and often conspicuous animals that are close to extinction in other parts of the world. Extraordinary Flora and Fauna Guyana, on the north eastern tip of South America, is home to an extraordinary wildlife that includes Giant Anteaters, Anacondas, Black Caiman, Arapaima, Giant River Turtles, Giant River Otters and Jaguars. Of all of these animals, the Jaguar is perhaps the most important as the largest predator in South America. Guyana's forests have healthy populations of jaguars and the nation may be home to one fifth of all of the jaguars remaining in the world today. The Makushi people of the North Rupununi recognize 18 different kinds of big cats in contrast to the six species recognized by scientists. Jaguars have been decimated over the years by hunters for their furs as well as by ranchers, but today the concern focuses on the destruction of the habitat. Of the estimated 15,000 jaguars left in the wild, about one hundred are said to be found in the Iwokrama Forest. The Arapaima, Arapaima gigas, also known as the Pirarucu or Paiche, is one of the world's largest fresh water fishes. Adults can mature up to four and a half metres in length and weigh 200Km. Arapaima are found throughout the Amazon and associated river systems in the Guyanas. They are also the most popular form of food in the Amazon region and as a result, populations have been declining throughout South America over the years. However the Arapaima is a protected fish in Guyana. The black caiman is the largest of the alligators and caimans in the world. Adult males can be longer than four meters. Black caimans are distributed throughout the Amazon in the Rupununi and Essequibo drainages of Guyana and the Kaw region of French Guiana. Scientists working at the Iwokrama project are becoming increasingly concerned over the threat of pollution from gold mining, particularly in the form of increased sediment and mercury loads in the system. In addition, the presence of gold miners can affect the behavior of giant otters; when breeding giant otters are disturbed, mothers may stop producing milk and the cubs can starve to death. These are among some of the urgent issues facing the movers and shakers at Iwokrama, who are giving careful planning, development, and management of tourism enterprises. Iwokrama needs to develop a more substantial level of internal management and oversight expertise if its tourism initiatives are to be successful. It is taking advantage of the Majestic Kaietuer Falls, one of the wonders of the world, which remains one of the greatest attractions in the 83,000 square mile country. As the only English speaking country in South America, its population includes a variety of cultures with West Africans, Native Amerindians, Dutch, British, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese, with the motto: "One People, One Nation, One Destiny". Under British rule for 152 years, the country is bordered by Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela, and the river Amazon to the south, with a population of just over 775,000 people concentrated along a narrow coastal plain, beyond which the land rushes towards the uplands where gold, diamonds and bauxite are mined. There are hundreds of rivers, lakes and creeks with four huge rivers...the Demerara, the Berbice, the Corentyne and the biggest of them all...the mighty Essequibo, 21 miles across at its mouth and over 370 miles long. The Essequibo traverses the country from south to north. Its head waters begin in Brazil and flow north, covering some 370 miles before emptying into the Atlantic.  The tumbling rivers and dense rainforests of Guyana are filled with extraordinary natural sights. Kaieteur Falls, is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo, where the 400-foot wide Potaro River plunges. The water flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge, a drop of 741 feet, and then down another 81 feet of rapids and falls. It is one of the world's great waterfalls. The magnificence of Kaieteur stands beyond any comparison in its majesty and sheer size. While Kaieteur Falls continues to be one of the principal attractions in Guyana, there is a wide range of other activities and endeavors one can choose from. The waterways offer many sites along the way...17th and 18th century Dutch ruins nestled in the shoreline, flora and fauna and glimpses into the culture and daily life of the Guyanese who live there. As the tourism industry develops and the Iwokarama project expands, it is necessary that steps are taken to ensure that the indigenous people, the Amerindians, are provided with alternative jobs and food, and that tourism will not lead to environmental degradation, which is of growing concern for travelers the world over. The nation and the population of Guyana owe it to their future generations as well as to the entire region, if not the world, that steps taken now would safeguard the environment and ensure sustainable development. Another important project in Guyana is Project Guyana. History of Project Guyana In December of 2002 Foster Parrots' Executive Director and Board Chairman first visited the Amerindian tribes of Guyana. What they found there were a friendly, culturally rich people with a great respect for the natural bounty of their land and an eagerness to share the beauty of this world with travelers. Although parrot protection and conservation were the primary motivations for becoming involved in Guyana, the two men soon became acutely aware of the need to preserve the ecosystem as well as the cultural heritage of a truly remarkable and inspiring people. |
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In the spring of 2004 Marc and Brian returned to Guyana and began talks with the Amerindian people about the need for a parrot/wildlife protection initiative and the possibility of addressing this issue through the development of an eco-tourism project.  Traveling to the Rupununi district of southern Guyana they met with the elders of several Amerindian tribes. It was during this time that they met Guyana Member of Parliament who was a Arawak Amerindian and a strong advocate for Amerindian rights. The M.P. had also been highly active in conservation and environmental protection issues. It was a perfect meeting of minds and motivations. The resulting relationship between Foster Parrots and the M.P. created the platform that would support the similar interests of each party, offering an economic alternative to Amerindian tribes while helping to protect thousands of acres of pristine habitat. Soon the M.P. was appointed to the Board of Foster Parrots and assumed responsibility as on-site Director of Foster Parrots' Project Guyana. Her tireless efforts on behalf of Project Guyana have won the interest and support of several additional tribes including that of the friendly village of Nappi, located at the base of the Kanuku Mountains. Embracing the project with tremendous enthusiasm, Nappi has dedicated 250 square miles of tribal territory as parrot protected conservation land and was chosen as the site for the first eco-tour lodge complex. Guyana’s Indigenous People Income Sources The country of Guyana, famously rich in bio-diversity, is one of the least populated tropical countries in the world with a population of only 850,000 inhabitants. With only three percent of its 80,000 square miles inhabited it is, unfortunately, one of only two countries in South America that still legally exports parrots and other wildlife for the pet trade. In fact, Guyana has been one of the top exporters of wild parrots in the world and remains active in trapping parrots, wild cats, primates, reptiles, sea turtles and various other land and sea animals. Trapping and exportation of native species has been, for generations, one of Guyana's only means of generating income for the indigenous people. However, closer examination of the trade in wildlife reveals grim realities of the animal export trade; decimation of native wildlife species and habitat is leading to irreversible elimination of the very source of income. The native people, who are essential in the harvesting of these resources, earn an abysmal fraction of the value of the exported animals. In a country where the average annual income is little more than $1,000.00, the income derived through the capture of wildlife and habitat destruction remains attractive. AMERIDIANS, WANT TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE ECOLOGICAL DESTINY OF THEIR COUNTRY RATHER THAN BOW DOWN TO THE EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALTRADERS, MINERS AND LOGGERS CURRENTLY AT LIBERTY TO DEVASTATE THEIR NATURAL HERITAGE. The native Amerindian tribes of Guyana, now becoming aware of the need to protect their forests and wildlife, are expressing the desire to take control of the ecological destiny of their country rather than bow down to the exploitation of animal traders, miners and loggers currently at liberty to devastate Guyana's natural heritage. Protecting the Treasures of Guyana Project Guyana enables the first steps towards protecting and preserving Guyana's native parrots and other wildlife by offering a more financially attractive and culturally desirable alternative. Through the development of this viable eco-tourism project entire Amerindian communities can benefit from the income derived from hosting visitors, who are often sympathetic to their needs.  Eco-tourism will create sustainable employment opportunities for the indigenous people of Guyana who can bring their acute knowledge of their natural resources and their many skills and crafts to a new and exciting international market. It will not only lend economic strength to participating communities, but will provide a canopy of protection for the native species whose values as wild animals far exceeds the cost of a destructive and self-serving exotic pet trade. Eco-Tourism Foster Parrots' Project Guyana, now underway, originates in the country's south central region around the village of Lethem. While an airstrip to the west of the nearby Kanuku Mountains remotely links six Amerindian villages to the more modern civilization of Georgetown, this area remains untouched by industrialization and the villages remain unspoiled and steeped in their cultural heritage and wild savanna settings. Although trapping for the pet trade has impacted the wildlife of this region to some extent, this is an area where relatively abundant native animals still roam and fly freely promising to provide prospective tourists with remarkable opportunities to view wild animals in Guyana's vast natural habitat. Future Projects of Project Guyana include: Nest Boxes and Observation Structures Construction on the first observation blind was completed in 2005. Nest boxes will be hand built and established in key areas of the territory. Nesting activity will be carefully monitored from strategically placed observation structures, thereby allowing records to be maintained as to numbers of active nests and successfully fledged chicks. Observation of nesting activity will also provide security against potential illegal nest raiding activity. Hand Rearing and Reintroduction Program This program will further ensure the proliferation of various parrot, reptile and turtle species. In many Macaw species only one chick is raised to adulthood. Second or third chicks are usually killed by a sibling or starved by the parents. These second and rare third chicks would be hand raised and hacked back into the wild, thereby establishing the flocks that once populated this area. Eté Palm Tree Planting Program In order to accommodate the diet of the large Macaws a program involving the planting of hundreds of Eté Palms and fruit trees will be implemented. An abundance of mature trees will support the growing Macaw populations and will be a focal point for tourists seeking to observe wild Macaw feeding habits. Native Handicrafts and Cultural Arts Preservation of Amerindian culture through the perpetuation of traditional arts and crafts is one of the most valued objectives of the Project Guyana initiative. The project will be influential in reconnecting young Amerindian people with nearly forgotten, but historically important, cultural arts and ceremonial activities. Time is running out as the village elders, the living repositories of the past, are now passing away without transferring these skills. The people with these skills must be given the opportunity to pass this unique knowledge on before it is lost forever. It's all here Guyana, a country of exceptional natural beauty – one that is a splendid combination of the Caribbean and South America, with fascinating touches of a sometimes turbulent past. From its picturesque capital and primary port, Georgetown, to its extraordinary natural heritage that spreads out like a tropical carpet. And with its commitment to ecotourism and nature preservation, soon more of the world will become aware of this special country. |
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Author : Lulu Basuil is an environmentalist, avid diver, a lover of nature, and an educator by vocation. Born in Portugal, she considers herself a global citizen and spends as much time as possible traveling around the globe and writing of her travels and observations. |
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