MINISTER of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, is confident that Guyanese will support the initiatives being undertaken to prevent wildlife crime becoming an issue in Guyana.He expressed this assurance while addressing a forum organised to commemorate International Wildlife Day, observed last Tuesday. To mark the occasion, a stakeholders’ forum was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, under the theme “Wildlife Crime: Let’s End It Now.”

Facilitated by Dr. Rovin Deodat, the forum aimed to acquaint/remind stakeholders of the relevant laws and regulations that deal with sustainable management and conservation of wildlife in Guyana, in order to promote compliance with key provisions of these laws and regulations and to enlist stakeholders’ support and views for the ongoing sustainable management and conservation of wildlife in Guyana.

Addressing the opening session of the forum, Minister Robert Persaud told participants that the forum was intended to put the spotlight on the importance of giving due consideration and attention to conservation management, and to ensuring that the trade in wildlife is done in a responsible and sustainable way, compliant with Guyana’s international treaty obligations.

The Minister said that even though we in Guyana do not have that problem of wildlife crime, it is necessary to raise and lift awareness of its existence, so that it can be prevented from becoming prevalent in Guyana. The Minister said the forum is a pre-emptive step so that all concerned would be focused on what needs to be done to avoid wildlife crime from becoming an issue here, as has happened elsewhere.

Stating the importance of the forum, the Minister said: “We are party to a number of international conventions as it relates to wildlife conservation, management and trade, since 1977…. Our track record in terms of fulfilling and honouring and being in compliance with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations has been checkered, and in one case up to the period 1999, we were prevented and not given the due recognition and certification so that we could trade.”

He said there have since been deliberate and consistent efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that the situation does not get out of control, especially for the thousands who depend on wildlife trade for their livelihood.

Minister Persaud explained that the Wildlife Management Committee that is being set up under the chairmanship of Major General (retd) Joseph ‘Joe’ Singh will address issues that arise from persons who act as if the wildlife resources are there to be plundered with no consideration to its sustainability and management.

He said the intention is to address issues to do with the capture, storage and transport of wildlife for export.

Minister Persaud reminded that, during last year, after consultation with stakeholders and legal minds, a comprehensive Wildlife Trade and Export Bill had been drafted and submitted to the National Assembly, but that became a casualty of the Tenth Parliament. Nevertheless, regulations were still put in place to govern the trade, but the passage of legislation is needed to support those regulations.

Minister Persaud said that to make the undertaking successful, it would be necessary for all persons in our society to support the initiatives to assist in regulating through reporting irregularities when they occur.

(By Raymon Cummings)