RESIDENTS of St. Cuthbert’s Mission along the Upper Mahaica River, East Coast Demerara, are forging ahead with their eco-tourism project, targeted for completion in early October.

The Toshao, Mr. Luke Simon said the objective is to make the place a high quality eco-tourism destination for both local and overseas tourists.
The venture is being funded through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), acquired from the Guyana Redd+ Investment Fund (GRIF) by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The facilities now under construction are a tourist lodge and rest house and six benabs, all located on the banks of the Upper Mahaica River.
Being built, as well, is a 40 feet tower with three platforms which can be mounted to get a better view of the wildlife and landscape.
The villagers are also building a 90 feet long corial with a shed for those who wish to sail along the waterway.
Among the things which have been acquired, Simon said, are binoculars for both wildlife hunting and stargazing, ten motorcycles, four horses, eight canoes with paddles, arrows and bows and fishing equipment.
Paths have also been cleared for jungle walks and a playground is now being created.

SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT
Some of the work is being done by contractors but a significant amount was through self-help, he said.
Simon pointed out that his village has to compete with other eco-tourism destinations, such as those in the Rupununi.
But he is certain that St. Cuthbert’s will provide a great attraction for tourists, given the additional feature that it is closer to the capital city and quite easily accessible from the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, as well.
Work on the initiative started early last month and the amenities should be in place for use by late September or early October.
St. Cuthbert’s, with a population of 1,400, is located on the left bank of the Mahaica River, 65 miles from the coastland.
The village can be accessed by a twelve mile trail from the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and agricultural production has been the mainstay of the community over the past one hundred and twenty years of its existence.
Nestling, as it is, on the banks of a pristine Mahaica River, St. Cuthbert’s has various attractions, among them  beautiful art and craft and culinary delights, making it a major tourist destination.
The village expects to cater for a minimum of sixteen tourists per week after the facilities are commissioned.