THE period January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019 has been declared a “closed season” for the hunting of wild birds.
This is according to a notice published by the Guyana Wildlife and Conservation Management Commission. During the period, there will be no trapping, hunting, wounding, killing or sale of wild birds.
The commission also noted on its Facebook account that during the period May 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 the hunting of wild mammals will be prohibited.
In 2016, the passage of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill in the National Assembly resulted in the creation of the commission.
Its mandate include the granting, amending and cancelling licences, permits and certificates in respect of activities related to species of wildlife; monitoring and enforcing licences, permits and certificate compliance; determining the annual ‘closed season’ timeframe for the hunting, trapping and trade of species of wild fauna.
It also includes the facilitating, promoting and supporting mechanisms whereby local indigenous villages may participate in the effective protection, conservation, management and sustainable use of wildlife on their lands.
The body is also tasked with establishing policies and procedures for the protection, conservation, management and sustainable use of wildlife by and for the benefit of all citizens of Guyana and in particular the communities and villages living in proximity to wildlife.
The commission also has in its mandate, the establishment of facilities for the quarantining of imported species of fauna and flora, including those species imported for the purpose of re-exportation.