THE road to a sustainable and prosperous Guyana is illuminated by the beacon of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

This visionary framework seeks to unite our nation, making it more inclusive, environmentally responsible, and economically prosperous. It builds upon the solid foundations laid by past successes, including the Monitoring Verification and Reporting System (MRVS), which played a pivotal role in establishing the initial low-carbon economy.

In this spirit, the Ministry of Natural Resources proudly showcases two transformative initiatives that focus on enhancing Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and supporting the realisation of critical LCDS objectives. These initiatives are not just projects; they are a testament to our commitment to a more sustainable and ecologically balanced Guyana.

The first of these initiatives centres on the National Forest Inventory (NFI), a comprehensive endeavor aimed at improving planning, resource utilisation, and policy intervention within our state forests. Collaborating with key stakeholders, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) initiated this multi-year project in 2019. The NFI’s design and methodology were crafted with precision in collaboration with stakeholders back in 2018.

The NFI’s systematic sampling design, utilising cluster points at the intersection of 10-kilometer by 10-kilometer grids within State Forests above the fourth parallel, is poised to provide invaluable data. As of September 2023, data collection has been successfully completed for Regions One, Two, Three, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and10, marking the conclusion of the Data Collection Phase. This wealth of information opens the door for ongoing data processing and analysis.

The forthcoming findings and published reports from the NFI will be a milestone, representing the most updated and large-scale baseline survey of our state forests over the past five decades. Stakeholders can anticipate a more informed perspective on the productive capacity of our forests in terms of quantity and quality of forest produce. Additionally, this data will serve as a foundational inventory for financial analysis and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) development. Government entities will harness this information for informed decisions regarding biodiversity conservation, zonation, and valuation efforts.

In a parallel effort, the GFC and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have united for the National Forest Restoration Initiative (NFRI). This initiative aligns seamlessly with the LCDS, which champions land reclamation and reforestation of mined areas under the banner of sustainable forestry and low-impact mining.

The NFRI aspires to restore our forests primarily using native tree species, concurrently creating alternative livelihoods for our forest-dependent communities. In Region 10, progress is underway in the Dakoura area, with roughly 23.3 hectares of land poised to complete the land preparation phase soon. Following this crucial stage, planting and site maintenance will commence.

Supporting the NFRI, the GFC and GGMC have established two seedling stations, situated at the Yarrowkabra Training Centre (YTC) and in Wismar. Assessment and preparatory activities are also unfolding in other regions.

A distinctive feature of the NFRI is its commitment to empowering local communities. Community members, particularly from West Watooka, Canvas City, Silvertown, and Block 22, will receive training in seedling collection, care, planting, and monitoring throughout the project’s lifecycle.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), GFC, and GGMC are unwavering in their commitment to collaborate with other government agencies and stakeholders, particularly at the community level. These collaborative efforts are vital in the efficient implementation of LCDS 2030 and the uplifting of livelihoods across Guyana.

In these initiatives, we see the promise of a greener, more sustainable, and economically robust Guyana. The LCDS 2030 is not merely a vision; it is our collective action to safeguard our environment, our communities, and our future.