THE Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) on World Wild Life Day signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Environmental Management Consultancy (EMC) in an effort to strengthen a public, private partnership to fortify the country’s response to marine and wildlife conservation.
Delivering the feature address at the simple, yet significant, ceremony held at Duke Lodge, on Wednesday, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, said that such partnerships will see greater awareness being brought to the country’s marine, wildlife and forestry sectors.
“It is therefore quite fitting for me to stand here and express my outmost support for the signing of this MoU with the Guyana Marine Conservation Society and the Environmental Management Consultancy,” the minister said.

He added that with the challenges that come with climate change and other dangers threatening the costal and marine eco systems, the document signed will provide for the collaborative effort needed to safeguard the country’s coastal and marine eco-systems.
“The signing of this document will formalise and solidify the relationship between the GMCS and the EMC as they collaborate in an effort to protect and conserve Guyana’s coastal and green ecosystems, making Guyana resilient in climate change and support [the government’s] climate development strategy,” Minister Bharrat added. The minister said that with the responsibility of having to extract natural resources and protecting the environment, partnerships like these can assist the ministry and government in achieving its mandate of protecting the environment while safely extracting natural resources.

He said the two organisations, since their existence, have worked relentlessly to educate Guyanese on the importance of protecting the environment and the other occupants who share the land with us– the people.
As the minister with responsibility for forestry, Bharrat said he will throw his support behind the two entities to support the protection, conservation and enhancement of the country’s forested areas and the many animals that live in it.
“The ministry welcome this collaboration between non-governmental organisations and the private sector to advance conservation and protection of the environment,” he said, adding: “Through the signing of this MoU, these two companies will bring together Guyanese with immense expertise and experience who will

collaborate in initiatives surrounding education and awareness, community livelihood projects, research, training and capacity development.”
Given the impressive environmental protection records of the duo, Bharrat said, “I have no shadow of a doubt that these two organisations will be successful in their efforts to protect, conserve and also promote the sustainable use of Guyana’s coastal and marine ecosystems, given their outstanding track records as environmental stalwarts.” GMCS’ head, Annette Arjoon-Martins and EMC’s Shyam Nokta disclosed that the two have had a partnership for years and the MoU is just a consummation of their entities to work alongside each other in preserving the vast wonders and beauties of Guyana.