THE World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas, recently, finalised a $2.3M grant for the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) to strengthen its capacity. The financing, for seven months, will facilitate the PAC’s improved management at Kaieteur National Park (KNP), address some of the challenges which threaten its integrity and aid in fostering community development at Chenapau Village.
The funding will also strengthen linkages with and increase income generation opportunities within the Chenapau Village and the Patamona community neighbouring KNP.
The KNP Manager will, frequently, visit Chenapau Village in order to foster improved communications and a better relationship with residents and the Village Council.
The project will also enable training for Chenapau residents in the development and sale of locally made products and, when the funds expire, the manager will submit a report on recommendations for KNP improvement.
The money is for the hiring, too, of a new KNP Site Level Manager, who is expected to take up a permanent position on the PAC’s payroll, following the expiration of the grant. The new manager would supervise KNP wardens, oversee the Park infrastructure and equipment and manage threats to it.
Several initiatives
In addition to the recent granting, WWF Guianas is working in partnership with the PAC on several initiatives for KNP, including designing an exhibit for the Park’s Visitors Arrival Centre; finalising its revised management plan; conducting joint village meetings to foster good relations between the village and KNP; planning for trail restoration and maintenance; architectural designs for rehabilitation of the guest house and staff quarters; tour guide training for interested individuals from the nearby indigenous villages of Chenapau, Karisparu and Paramakatoi; biodiversity surveys within the Park and upper Potaro River Basin and assessment of gold mining impacts within and surrounding the Park.
The KNP, originally established in 1929, is the oldest Park in South America and the location of the country’s premier tourist attraction, the iconic national symbol, Kaieteur Falls, one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls.
The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) was created at the end of 2012 with the enactment of the Protected Areas Act 2011 and has the overall responsibility for the Guyana National Protected Areas System (NPAS), which includes the KNP, approximately 35 of the NPAS.
The World Wildlife Fund Guianas is part of one of the world’s leading conservation organisations, with a mission to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
More about it can be learnt at www.wwfguianas.org.