The Urban Forestry and Biodiversity Programme (UF&BCP) of the National Parks Commission has extended its support to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) initiated by the Government of Guyana, and recognises urban areas as having the potential to lead in ecological sustainability.

In response to a call made by President Bharrat Jagdeo, the UF&BCP will address the loss of biodiversity in the urban areas of Guyana by recommending and supporting the conservation and rehabilitation of the landscape. This will include identifying areas of high conservation significance and raising awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity, a release from the National Parks Commission said.

Guyana is biologically diverse because of its many different species of plants, animals and micro-organisms. Some of Guyana’s most important sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism, rely on its healthy functioning ecological processes and systems.

In an effort to ensure a partnership approach is taken to help manage the collective biodiversity issues, the Commission proposed this programme to complement and support the LCDS. The aim is to deepen understanding among citizens and provide awareness.

The LCDS, entitled Transforming Guyana’s Economy while Combating Climate Change, was launched by President Jagdeo on June 8 at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) at Liliendaal. A final pronouncement for the LCDS will be made at the Conference of Parties in Copenhagen in December, 2009. (GINA)