MINISTER of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud, on Tuesday evening, urged the commitment of more resources towards the development of Guyana’s Zoo and parks around the country as the Draft Master Plan for the development of the Zoological Park under the Three Parks Initiative was being launched.

His call was answered at the end of the launch by a representative of Caribbean Chemicals who pledged the sum of $1M towards the project.
The Plan was unveiled in the parking lot of the National Park’s Carifesta Avenue entrance in Georgetown.
The Three Parks Initiative is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Beharry Group of Companies, and Conservation International (CI). It is designed to upgrade the facilities and enhance the security of parks in Georgetown.
The Zoo Master Plan is also intended to mark the beginning of a long-term effort to modernise and transform the Guyana Zoo by implementing the highest international standards in zoo animal welfare, and by allowing Guyanese visitors to connect with the rich natural world that exists beyond the limits of Guyana’s urban landscape.
Minister Persaud in thanking the staff of the PAC and the National Parks Commission for moving the initiative forward observed that, “in our urban settings and Capital city, one of the areas we would want to keep pristine, clean and really live up to the reputation of being green and beautiful, would be our parks; our zoological parks, our national parks and also on the West Demerara, the Joe Vieira Park.”
He explained that over the past months, “we have been studying on how we could move these facilities forwards to the expectations of the Guyanese public. How we can modernise and how we can offer better services at the facilities, not only for the population, but how it can be prominent in our tourist attraction.”
Minister Persaud explained that the Three Parks initiative is one which was presented to a number of partners, “also we have started engagement with the business community as to how it is we can move the initiative forward. And we do hope that tonight’s (Tuesday night) presentation would allow you great insight and perhaps support, and through your direct and indirect influence we see more resources heading in this direction.”
He pointed out that Government has not only signalled that it wants these facilities to be improved, but has committed close to $150M to the project, most of which is intended to go towards the National Park and the Botanical Gardens.
The minister pointed to the fact that the lights around the National Park circuit are working “and it is the intention to sometime in the future to turn on the lights from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm, once we are able to deal with the security issues here.” The same is hoped for the Botanical Gardens.
Observing that most of the money allocated would be directed towards aspects of the parks that have been neglected over the years, Minister Persaud pointed out that more resources are needed. “These parks, these facilities belong to the people of Guyana, but we need to ensure that the persons who use these facilities care them,” he stated.
He pointed to the number of garbage receptacles located in the National Park and observed that persons would still litter. The minister explained that they were working with the Rotary Club of Georgetown on the rehabilitation of a facility for children which was handed over recently. He pointed to the fact that similar facilities were being destroyed and vandalised.
The minister appealed for the park areas and the facilities they offer to be used in the way in which they are intended to, and to be used so the corporate sponsors would be proud.
Meanwhile PAC’s Commissioner, Damian Fernandes and Jim Brighton, Landscape Architect explained that the Zoo Master Plan aims to connect the country’s interior and bring it to the people.
Explaining some of the changes planned, they pointed to planned reorganisation and transformation of some of the existing cages into walkthrough exhibits. The Zoological park when completely modernised will have a coastal wetland for aquatic animals, a savannah area for deer, tapirs and other related animals, mountainous highland for the small cats and rainforest for the harpy eagles.