Understanding Climate Change (Part XIII)
Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy: Priority Areas for Implementation
Amerindian Development

IN PREVIOUS articles, we introduced Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and identified the priority areas for implementation over the next two years. On May 24, 2010, the third draft of the LCDS was released and launched by His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The revised draft of the LCDS places greater emphasis on implementation, and outlines seven key priority areas for investment of forest payments over the next two years. This week, we will discuss one of these – Amerindian development.

Introduction
Amerindians represent approximately 9.1 per cent of Guyana’s population, and currently own approximately 13.9 per cent of the land. A large portion of Guyana’s Amerindian community resides outside of the Coastal Plain.

Over the years, many steps have been taken to enable the development of Amerindian communities.

In 2006, a new Amerindian Act was formulated.  The enactment of the Act provided the legal framework for the advancement of the collective rights of the Indigenous population.

A Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was created with a mandate “to enhance the quality of life of Amerindian People in Guyana through the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes which facilitate cultural, social and economic development, promote equity and advance the rights of Amerindian people.” The ministry has supported the development of Amerindians and their communities through a number of economic and social projects.
The National Secure Livelihood Project (NSLP), the Presidential Grants initiative, the Hinterland Scholarship Programmes, and the land demarcation and titling initiative are examples of major projects and activities.
The NSLP was initiated in 2009, with the aim of helping Amerindians to expand their economic base by helping them to develop sustainable projects that will create employment opportunities while sustaining food security, generating income, creating wealth and diversifying their economic activities thus securing their livelihoods.
The Presidential Grants initiative was established in 2007 to help Amerindian communities establish income-generating projects to advance their growth and development.

Background on Amerindian communities and ownership of land in Guyana

Over the years, efforts have been made to ensure recognition of the right of Amerindians to communal land ownership.

At this stage, there are 169 Amerindian communities, including satellites, settlements and villages (Ministry of Amerindian Affairs).

Through a land demarcation and titling programme, inter-alia, 96 Amerindian villages are now titled. In addition, there are 36 satellite villages.  In parallel, the Amerindian Act # 6 of 2006 makes provision for matters of land management, allocation, leasing, titling, demarcation and extension.

Since the early 1990s, the share of Guyana’s territory owned by Amerindians increased from approximately 6% to approximately 14%, as lands have been titled, demarcated, and extended following requests from Amerindian communities.

Outstanding issues with Amerindian lands

Guyana’s LCDS highlights several outstanding issues with Amerindian lands:

•    Outstanding Demarcation: Of the 96 titled villages, 70 are demarcated, and six are bounded by natural boundaries. The remainder are free to request demarcation. Demarcation is overseen by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, in conjunction with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, and in accordance with certain legal processes (refer to Appendix V of the revised LCDS – May, 2010).
•    Untitled Amerindian communities: There are 11 Amerindian communities that are eligible for titling, and six of these have submitted applications for grant of state land. These applications are under review, and the consultation processes are scheduled.
•    Land awaiting extension: Eight villages have received approval for extension, and another 27 are awaiting processing for extension.
•    Amerindian settlements: There are 20 settlements consisting of mainly Amerindian residents, that are not yet eligible to apply for community status, but will likely qualify for titling at various times in the future.

Implementing the LCDS – Amerindian opt in and development

As mentioned earlier, the LCDS is in the implementation phase, and one of the priorities for the next two years is Amerindian development. The activities targeted are expected to support ongoing efforts mentioned earlier.

Some of the major ones are discussed below.

1.   Amerindian Development Fund

An Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) will be established to provide grants for low-carbon energy and economic or social investments in Amerindian villages.

Even if no village chooses to opt-in in 2010 and 2011, at least US$4 million per year will be made available for local development, from revenues that are received for the State Forest Estate.

General village meetings will determine the most feasible projects, with the Village Council taking the lead in preparing proposals and budgets, drawing on guidance from technical officers at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Based on suggestions received during the 2009 LCDS consultation process, the Amerindian Development Fund is likely to make grants available for:
       Enhancing food security;
       Agricultural development that does not threaten the forest;
       Solar panel arrays for local electricity generation;
       Creation of a digital communications network to enhance communications between forest communities, Georgetown and regional centres, and to permit vital internet access;
       Community-based eco-tourism ventures; and
       Purchase of computers and educational programmes for families and students (in        co-ordination with the One Laptop Per Family [OLPF] initiative).

However, Amerindian villages will decide what projects and activities they want for their communities.

Initial analysis suggests that the best categories for small business development may be the following:

       Aquaculture: This is most suitable for the North and Central Rupununi (Region Nine), Monkey Mountain and Taruka (Region Eight), Mabaruma and Moruca sub-district (Region One), Region Two and Upper Mazaruni (Region Seven).

      Cattle Rearing and Processing:  This is most suitable for Region Nine and some villages in Region Eight (Kurukabaru, Itabac, Kanapang, Karisparu). These villages are largely savannah and un-forested.

       Small Manufacturing and Value–Added Production: Many villages in the North Rupununi have well-developed micro-industries, which can help in the development of similar expertise and offerings in Regions Two, Four, Five, and Six.

       Credit Schemes: The Orealla, Moruca and North Rupununi Credit Scheme and Development Trusts may be expanded and replicated in other clusters of Amerindian communities. Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, and Sub-District Two, Region Eight have been identified as possible locations for new credit schemes.

 
      Eco-tourism in Hinterland regions: Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine have potential viable eco-tourist destinations based on geographical location, land composition, flora and fauna and basic hospitality infrastructure (village guest house, lodges etc). Amerindian villages in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six & Ten are viable for community- based agro-tourism businesses.

2.   Amerindian Demarcation and Titling Programme

One of the clear messages from the 2009 LCDS consultation process in Amerindian areas was the need for further progress on outstanding land issues.

Work will start in 2010 to address the resolution of all outstanding titling, demarcation and extension, with the goal of completing the processes for those villages that submit requests by 2015.

It is likely that Amerindian territory will eventually expand to about 20% of national territory (LCDS-revised, May, 2010).

The revised LCDS (2010) identifies the remaining work to complete this process.  As was indicated earlier, 96 villages are now titled, and 11 remain untitled. A further 19 settlements are likely to become eligible for title in the future. Of the 96 titled villages, 70 have been demarcated, with 26 awaiting demarcation; eight have been extended, with 26 extension requests being processed.

Cost has historically been a constraint to speedy demarcation. It is estimated that completing demarcation, titling and extension will require over US$18 million.

Under interim REDD+ payments in 2010 and 2011, a total of US$6 million will be allocated to accelerate the demarcation and titling programme, addressing those villages with currently outstanding requests, and communicating the processes for demarcation and titling to those villages that have not yet chosen to do this. (Refer to the LCDS for further details).

3.   Opting-In

In alignment with the principles of free, prior and informed consent, Amerindian communities will not be required to participate in REDD+ unless they choose to do so, and no deadline will be set for whether and how they can ‘opt in’ to REDD+ and the LCDS.

During 2010, discussions will continue on how to develop the opt-in process.

Next week, we will continue to explore other important aspects of Guyana’s LCDS.

** Information used in this feature was extracted from the following reports and sources: Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (May 2010), Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Prepared by the Office of Climate Change, June, 2010
For additional information, please contact:
Office of Climate Change, Office of the President
Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown
Tel. 223-5205
Email: info@lcds.gov.gy , Web Site: www.lcds.gov.gy