THE construction of a $45M visitor arrival centre at Kaieteur National Park (KNP) is part of a wider strategic framework for the development of Guyana’s premier tourist attraction, according to Chairman of the Board, Mr. Shyam Nokta.

Established in 1929, the KNP today covers 627 square kilometres (242 square miles) and is known for its rich biodiversity and Kaieteur Falls.

Nokta made the announcement at the signing of a contract for the job, involving Tolack Narine Singh, KNP and National Parks Commission (NPC).

KNP secured the funding through Kreditanstalt fur Wiederraufbau (KfW) small grants component of Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) and the agreement was signed on February 5, between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will be executing for GPAS and NPC on behalf of KNP.

The GPAS component is being funded by the German Government and supports conservation and livelihood projects within and near to protected areas proposed for protection and the EPA is being assisted with the implementation by the GFA Consulting Group.

“It is another significant step that we are making, in terms of improving the facilities and improving the conditions at Kaieteur National Park,” Nokta said.

Recognising the contributions that KfW has been making, he said this is the fourth such and pointed out that the others for KNP, similarly financed, include to equip wardens at Kaieteur; ranger training for them and representatives of local communities executed by Iwokrama Centre and, last November, a $24M deal for a guest house and caretaker’s quarters at Tukeit.

Nokta acknowledged KNP receipt of significant support, in particular with regard to infrastructure and equipment, an area the importance of which must be recognised.

He emphasised that capacity building, training and planning are all good aspects of assistance but more is needed to improve management systems on the ground.

Nokta said the idea to construct the centre emerged in 1999 and it is expected to be done in nine months.

Functions
“We hope the contractor can maintain this schedule. Essentially, it will be a facility that will serve a number of functions and include a souvenir shop, an interpretation area, a viewing gallery as well as facilities to offer light refreshment,” he offered, noting it would replace the present rustic structure.

Nokta disclosed that, last January, aid was received from WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to develop a comprehensive park management plan.

The $40M will last for approximately two and a half years and, for the first time, will help development of a comprehensive management plan, he explained.

a sketch of the design of the Visitors’ Centre

Nokta said this plan will be looking at a number of critical issues, among them a bio-physical, social assessment and zoning.

He said a number of things are happening at Kaieteur and all the various initiatives are fitting into a broader scheme to be implemented, to realise not only the tourism potentials that KNP offers.

While the falls is the main attraction, there is so much there to explore and see, especially in terms of biodiversity value and, at the same time, they need to ensure that whatever is done at Kaieteur is in a manner that can safeguard the resources, Nokta stated.

GFA Team Leader, Mr. Ben ter Welle, revealed that the centre design was crafted by a German national working in Guyana, free of cost.

Environmental Officer at EPA, Ms. Chuvika Harilal, said it is with the spirit of conservation and development that the centre was envisaged and pursued.

She said it is to be the hub for a series of activities all geared towards making the site more visitor friendly, increasing the number of visitors and awareness of Kaieteur and benefitting from the spin-off of tourist dollars.

Harilal said it will be a unique complex with interactive displays, a craft store, waiting and dining areas, rest rooms, footpaths and walkways.

She said two of the pilot study locations, Shell Beach and the Kunukus are proposed for protection under the GPAS scheme.