THE first ever comprehensive and integrated Park Management Plan for the Kaieteur National Park (KNP)is not only nearing completion but will get financial support for the first phase of its implementation. Disclosing this, Chairman of the KNP, Mr. Shyam Nokta, said that its completion was just a matter of a few weeks away.
He made the disclosure during the commissioning of the $54 million Visitor Arrival Centre at Kaieteur Top, Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) Sunday last.
The Park Management Plan for a period of five years has been funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the sole donor, to the tune of $38M.
It also includes a Business Plan, a Donation Plan and a Tourism Plan for KNP.
Nokta explained the context of the Park Management Plan: “For KNP to realise its true potential as Guyana’s premier conservation and tourism site we need to focus beyond the immediate environment of the
Falls, we need to understand the wider eco system, the landscape, the bio diversity so we can effectively manage these not only for conservation but for the delivery of sustainable economic activities such as eco tourism for the benefit of the park and nearby communities.”
He acknowledged that information on these aspects of the over two million years old area was scanty.
He said that the integrated Park Management Plan is another significant milestone in the development of the KNP, since such a plan is generally a key tool for effective planning and management of any park or protected area.
The park management plan with support from the WWF has long been in the making.
Head of the WWF Guianas, Country Director, Dr. Patrick Williams earlier this year disclosed that the WWF contribution to the project is approximately G$38 million.
He noted that the KNP area has not been fully explored and expressed the belief that there are still large numbers of endemic species – both flora and fauna that exist in the Park which are yet unknown and must be protected, even while nature lovers enjoy the park and what it has to offer.
The National Parks Commission is the implementing agency for the KNP and General Manager Ms. Yolanda Vasconcellos, says the Plan will guide the conservation and management of the KNP and wider ecosystem, while enhancing local community development
The Management Plan is being put together with the input of several stakeholders including the National Parks Commission (NPC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Geology and Mines
Commission (GGMC), Conservation International, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Iwokrama, University of Guyana, tourist operators, and residents of neighbouring communities of Chenapau, Karisparo and
Menzies Landing.
The Kaieteur National Park was established in 1929 and today covers an area of 627 square kilometres (242 sq. miles) or 63,000 hectares.
It is situated within the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s oldest geological formations, in South America.