-as country looks to create greener spaces
-President Ali says

GUYANA has undertaken a bold initiative to rejuvenate green areas nationwide, and, in line with this, the government intends to modify its current legislation and environmental standards.
The country’s Head of State, Dr Irfaan Ali, who, during a recent engagement with stakeholders from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said the country would be aligning its regulations with that of the United States of America.
“We are also aligning a lot of our environmental standards and changes to the legislation now with those of the U.S because, in our strategic discussions, the type of development that is taking place in the Western Hemisphere requires an alignment in terms of our regulations and our law,” the Head of State said.
The government, he noted, has adopted a strategic plan to establish and maintain sustainable climate friendly space.
“We are still on this journey of finding the best practices, but we also have an opportunity to showcase best practices that originate out of Guyana. Because in our strategic discussions, the type of development that is taking place in the western hemisphere requires an alignment in our regulations and our laws.”
In addition to enforcing laws and regulations, the Head of State highlighted the EPA embraces innovation, continuous learning, and knowledge acquisition in its mandate.
“When you’re at the centre of everything, you have to be aware and the only way you can be aware is by continuous learning, continuous knowledge, and, importantly, the love for reading. Reading and understanding where our country is going,” he urged.

GREENER AND CLEANER
The Government of Guyana has been pursuing several beautification projects to revitalise and maintain ‘green’ spaces across the country’s capital city, Georgetown.
At a recent press conference, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, told reporters that the government had met with several citizens recently, and during that meeting some 34 playgrounds across the city were highlighted for rehabilitation works to promote “green” and leisure spaces in communities.
“Some of them already have fence; we are going to put in lighting in these grounds,” the Vice President disclosed.
He noted that buildings will be constructed as well to provide public facilities and walkways around the playgrounds.
“Recreational facilities in the city have been a priority; the city will be greener and cleaner,” Jagdeo said.
Simultaneously, the government, he said, is pursuing development projects that will complement the city’s economic growth.
Back in February, the brick was laid for the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre at Carifesta Avenue.
The new hotel is set to be the country’s largest tourism and hospitality investment.

NATIONAL PARK ZONING
In addition to this, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) recently launched the National Park Zoning Plan in observance of Earth Day 2024.
The Commission had been engaging stakeholders as part of efforts to get them to contribute towards the development of the National Park as a ‘green’ space that promotes family, recreation, fitness, health and wellness.
The park was divided into eight zones, with 27 areas for the public to utilise. These zones are: An activity zone, concession zone, dancing school zone, fitness zone, free zone, management zone, Burrowes School of Art Jewellery Shop, and a parking zone.
“The objective of the Zoning Plan is to allow different users to understand that we have various sections for various activities, so there is not any level of conflict or any level of competition this way, but we all know which are the designated areas for different activities,” PAC’s chairman Robert Persaud had explained.