The forum targeted resource persons from indigenous communities in Regions One (Barima/Waini); Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam ); Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands); Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

The workshop was designed to provide participants with a framework for introducing and discussing the Wildlife Conservation and Management Regulations at local community meetings.

Another objective was to develop a participatory approach to consultations with local communities on the Wildlife Conservation and Management Regulations.

According to a release, the new regulations complement the Species Protection Regulation (1999) as part of the legislative framework for the sustainable use and conservation of wildlife in Guyana.

The meeting recommended to the EPA:

** The need to establish an overarching institute response for natural resource management to regularise, monitor and coordinate forestry, inland fisheries, wildlife and mining activities.

** The need for early involvement of all stakeholders in consultative processes so that the processes can be effectively planned.

** The need to refocus natural resource management legislation on empowering people and developing partnerships for collaborative management to resolve natural resource management problems, and

** The need to increase the roles and responsibilities for indigenous peoples for the management of natural resources while ensuring that the rewards from the proper use of wildlife are shared equitably.

The EPA hopes that the consultative approach developed for the regulations can be used as the basis for the future consultations for effective natural resource management in Guyana, and that a well-structured consultative process focused on wildlife users will contribute to observance of the regulations.