PRESIDENT David Granger met yesterday with the Chairman and Commissioners of the Board of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), and was brought up to speed on the workplan as it relates to protecting Guyana’s natural patrimony.The PAC is currently working on a project to develop the Zoological Park, the Botanical Gardens, and the Joe Vieira Park, which latter facility is located at Schoonord, just across the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on the West Bank of Demerara.
A release from the Ministry of the Presidency quotes the President as saying, “Every region should have its own botanical zone to protect its flora and fauna. Our children have to see these plants and animals and know what they mean… Our botanical gardens and parks must be a place for education.”
Noting that the PAC has an integral role to play in the protection and safeguarding of Guyana’s heritage, President Granger seized the opportunity to call on it to take a holistic approach in this regard.
He said that with each of the country’s 10 administrative regions having their own unique elements of biodiversity, historical and cultural heritage, it is only fitting that every effort be made to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.
He also spoke of the need for legislation to safeguard Guyana’s rich biodiversity and protected areas to ensure that they are managed in a sustainable manner, as well as the training of a cadre of professionals in the areas of botany, biodiversity and conservation.
The PAC team, which was led by Dr. David Singh, included Ms. Varshnie Singh, and Messrs Clayton Hall,Gerhard Ramsaroop,
Damian Fernandes, Anil Roberts, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Vibert Welsh.