SINCE I have not seen my homeland for quite some years, returned from abroad just a few days ago, I was really heartened to see that many things have changed since my departure from Guyana in the early 1990s.

The most beautiful sight seeing adventure was my trip to the famous and mighty Kaieteur Falls among other places. However, before exploring the mighty cascade, there was the wonderful viewing of the country’s pristine rainforest which I thought that my native land is really blessed with those trees.

I must say that Guyana unlike many other countries is fortunate to have such abundance in wealth. In some countries I have visited they have destroyed their forests which are the homes to many of the world’s species and billions of people.

Guyana’s attempt to secure its entire standing forest is indeed a good move for the country since forests do much more for us than just store carbon. This is a significant step and a visionary approach to safe guarding our god blessed natural resource.

I’ve also learnt from the many readings of the country’s daily newspapers that President Jagdeo has been a strong advocate and has been championing at international forums to preserve the country’s forest in return for sustainable development funds.

This idea is one which should be supported; the President is championing this cause to save something for generations to come.

Our forest of course is there to produce timber but I believe the forest can produce more than just timber; timber can be produce in better ways so that the forest is sustainable.

I believe that countries should emulate Guyana by managing their tropical forest correctly.
RODWELL DOUGLAS