Wildlife conservation festival for Rupununi, April 14
Stabroek News
March 28, 2003
Preparations are moving apace for the third annual Wildlife Conservation Festival, which will be held at Bina Hill in the North Rupununi district from April 14 to 16.
Stabroek News understands that over 250 children from the wildlife and environmental clubs from the coast, as well as special invitees, including representatives from the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Local Government and Education, Iwokrama International Centre and the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) are expected to attend.
According to a representative from the Iwokrama Wildlife Division, the objective of the annual festival is to promote awareness about Guyana's wildlife and the importance of its sustainable use and conservation. The themes of this year's festival are related to the protection and conservation of endangered species. There will also be discussions about social issues and responsibilities, with the overall theme: "Today we conserve to enjoy tomorrow."
The festival will open with a grand costume and banner parade, followed by opening remarks by special invitees, cultural presentation, and presentations from the various clubs.
Like the previous festivals, activities this year will include skits and cultural shows on conflicts among stakeholders in wildlife management, indigenous life, a presentation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental quizzes, and videos on social issues and nature. Participants will also seek to complete the mural from last year's festival, which depicts the habitat of the North Rupununi wetlands.
There will also be several competitions for the best costume and banner, art, poetry and archery, among other things.
The main participants and organisers of the festival will be members of the 14 wildlife clubs of the North Rupununi that form the North Rupununi Junior Wildlife Development Council (NRJWDC). These clubs are Wowetta Junior Wildlife Club, Annai Youth Conservation Wildlife Club, Surama Junior Wildlife Club, Rewa Junior Wildlife and Conservation Club, Kwatamang Conservation Wildlife Club, Yakarinta Giant Otter Club, Massara Junior Wildlife Club, Toka Junior Conservation Club, Fairview Wild-life Observation Club, Aranaputa Junior Wildlife Club, Apoteri Arapaima Junior Wildlife Club, Rupertee Junior Wildlife Club, Crash Water Junior Wildlife Club and Kwaimatta Junior Wildl-ife Club.
The wildlife clubs of the North Rupununi would like to spread the message of conservation and sustainable utilization across Guyana and the rest of the world. To do so, the NRJWDC is asking for donations and sponsorship of prizes from any individual or organization that would like to assist.
The objectives of the wildlife clubs are to develop an awareness and understanding of the forest plants, animals, and physical characteristics; help in wildlife inventories in the area; and understand and practise natural resource management and conservation.
Members of the clubs will organize activities that help attain these goals. These activities include forest walks, camping, learning the scientific and local names for animals and plants, wildlife knowledge competitions between villages, exchange visits to other communities, developing collections of insects, plants, and animals for the schools, and the preparation of wildlife related art work.
The Iwokrama Wildlife Division has said that anyone who wishes to learn more about the clubs or to help with their development, can contact Waldyke Prince and/or Aeisha Williams at the Iwokrama International Centre at wprince@iwokrama.org and awilliams@iwokrama.org or on telephone number 225-1504 or fax 225-9199.
