The issue of money to maintain Guyana’s massive eco-park, Iwokrama, was raised by Prime Minster Moses Nagamootoo during separate meetings with non-resident envoys from Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Australian High Commissioner and German Ambassador paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister on March 09 at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Complex.

A release noted that last year the Prime Minister had plugged for financial support for Iwokrama when he addressed a luncheon held by diplomats at Hermanston House. He had indicated that the million acre “green lungs” of Guyana has been made a patrimony of humanity, to pursue studies in bio-diversity and preservation of our eco- system.

“However, the Iwokrama International Center for Rainforest Conservation has cut back on services due to lack of financing from patrons and donors, which resulted in the Prime Minister’s appeal,” the release from the Prime Minister’s office noted.

According to the release, recently under the aegis of Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, a committee was established to look into the future of Iwokrama.

The Iwokrama Forest is some 1,430 square miles. Its eco-system contains high species richness and several species of animals that are threatened or extinct, like the Giant Anteaters. The committee is expected to brief cabinet on the way forward.