REPRESENTATIVES of a number of agencies and civil society bodies Tuesday attended a forum organised to review the relevant laws and regulations dealing with the sustainable management and conservation of wildlife in Guyana.The intent is to promote compliance with the key provisions of those laws and regulations, thereby ensuring sustainable management and conservation of Guyana’s wildlife resources.

Organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the forum saw presentations from subject Minister Robert Persaud; Sean Mendonca and Evi Paemelaere from the Wildlife Unit; Davie Persaud from the Ministry of Fisheries; and Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh, Chairman of the Wildlife Management Steering Committee (WMSC).

Participants at the forum included representatives of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA); Wildlife Division of the Fisheries Department; Iwokrama; Conservation International; Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); Guyana Police Force; Guyana Defence Force; toshaos from various villages in the protected areas; wildlife exporters, and tour guides.

WMSC Chairman, Major Gen (ret’d) Joe Singh, in remarks at the start of the forum, encouraged those present to join with the WMSC in utilising their experience and knowledge to formulate policies for the sustainable management of Guyana’s wildlife resources.

Senior Environmental Officer at the Wildlife Unit, Sean Mendonca, in his presentation, posited that humans need to see themselves as part of the wildlife chain, and depending on the wildlife for survival, in order to ensure its sustainable management.

He said that disruption of the wildlife habitat can lead to the “Empty Forest Syndrome”, threatening jobs created by the management and trade in wildlife.

He also pointed to the regulations in place to protect the wildlife resources and to deal with the trade in wildlife, classified areas and protected areas.

Mendonca also discussed licensing arrangements which would be implemented, and the penalties for breaching the regulations.

Evi Paemelaere, who is working on jaguar conservation in the Amazon Basin, said destruction of the jaguar’s prey leads to the animal becoming a threat to the livestock and livelihood of humans.

She also pointed out the other benefits of the wildlife, showing their contribution to sustaining the forest through seed distribution, provision of fertiliser for the forest, and assistance in promoting clean water systems. Paemelaere said that hunting should be done in a sustainable manner, to avoid depleting the resources.

Senior Fisheries Officer, Davie Persaud said the Fisheries Department was concerned with the freshwater harvesting of marine life. She said that while some persons were engaged in sport fishing and for subsistence purposes, some other persons engage in commercial harvesting of fish from freshwater systems, which needs to be monitored to avoid depleting the resources.

She assured that this will not affect persons engaged in aquaculture.

The forum is to allow contributions from all stakeholders, to facilitate a systemic approach to sustainable management and conservation of Guyana’s wildlife.

(By Raymon Cummings)