–at the National Park

IN observation of World Environment Day on June 5, 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Guyana handed over waste receptacles to the Protected Areas Commission (PAC).
According to a press release, the purpose of this initiative is to encourage park users to properly dispose of and separate their wastes within the environs of the National Park.
Effective and sustained waste management promotes a culture of responsible waste disposal and behavioural change in environment conservation which can result in more effective upcycling and recycling, reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfills and a more hygienic environment for all.
Equally, adopting the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and replace within our daily lives can decrease our negative impact on the environment and promote a circular economy.

This also helps to protect the environment since landfills are a major source of greenhouse gases – by separating wastes, the amount sent to landfills are reduced and therefore it reduces our carbon footprint and contributes to climate change mitigation.
This partnership between UNDP and PAC positively contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, also referred to as the SDGs or the Global Goals, specifically SDG 3 on ensuring good health and well-being, SDG 11 on establishing sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 on promoting responsible consumption and production, SDG 14 on protecting life below water and, SDG 15 on protecting life on land.
Ms. Balram and Mr. Jason Fraser, along with staff of the UNDP Guyana and Protected Areas Commission Ms. Nadira Balram, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP Guyana pointed out that “UNDP is committed to supporting efforts that protect our environment through targetted initiatives and strategic partnerships.”

She also noted the importance of “our individual and collective responsibilities in adopting the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and replace within our daily lives can decrease our negative impact on the environment and promote a circular economy”.
In addition, Mr. Jason Fraser, Commissioner, Protected Areas Commission highlighted that “…proper solid waste disposal, especially within our urban green spaces is our collective duty.
The PAC’s “parks for the people” approach, which is in line with the First Lady’s National Beautification Project, aims at creating and maintaining clean and safe urban green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

As part of this approach, and after much consultation, we have developed our National Park Zoning Plan that will guide the sustainable use of our green oasis while promoting principles of a circular economy. Proper waste disposal and waste separation practices are requisite first steps and ultimately the onus is on all park users to be responsible citizens and stewards of the environment – “we have waste receptacles, use them”.
This activity is the initial step in a more long-term partnership between UNDP and PAC as we work together on shared developmental goals.