International Mountain Day is observed annually on 11th December. It highlights the importance of mountains in sustaining ecological balance and supporting human communities. The theme for 2024, “Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future – Innovation, Adaptation, and Youth,” underscores the need for innovative strategies, adaptive measures, and the active involvement of youth in addressing the unique challenges faced by mountain communities worldwide.

In Guyana, the Kanuku Mountains stand as a symbol of the nation’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Situated in Region Nine, the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA) spans approximately 611,000 hectares, representing about 2.8% of Guyana’s total land area. The name “Kanuku,” derived from the Wapishana language, means “forest,” reflecting the area’s lush landscapes. The region is home to over 1,400 vertebrate species, including 53% of Guyana’s known bird species, such as the Green-Tailed Jacamar, and about 70% of its mammalian population, including the giant otter, harpy eagle, and arapaima. The Kanuku Mountains also house 11 of Guyana’s 12 mammal species listed in the IUCN Red Data Book and boast the world’s highest bat diversity, with 89 documented species.

Recognising the ecological importance of the Kanuku Mountains, the Government of Guyana designated the area as a National Protected Area in 2011. This status aims to preserve the region’s unique ecosystems while supporting the livelihoods of the indigenous Macushi and Wapishana communities, who depend on the mountains’ resources for subsistence.

In line with the 2024 International Mountain Day theme, Guyana has launched the “Securing a Living Amazon through Landscape Connectivity in Southern Guyana” project under the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes (ASL) Programme. Initiated in April 2024, this five-year project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), focuses on enhancing landscape connectivity and improving the management of protected areas in Guyana’s southern forests. Led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the project aims to strengthen the management of the KMPA and the North Rupununi Wetlands, covering a combined area of over 1.5 million hectares. It emphasises sustainable land and water management, community engagement, and gender-sensitive development, directly benefiting indigenous communities and promoting environmental stewardship.

Through the ASL project, Guyana actively contributes to the global objectives of International Mountain Day 2024, ensuring that its mountainous regions continue to thrive for generations to come.

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